Nearly 160 youngsters from first through sixth grades participated in the two-day event, sponsored by both the Weehawken Department of Recreation and the Board of Education and held in the high school gym.
The participants were selected; three boys and three girls from each classroom in Webster and Roosevelt Schools. They were chosen by the respective physical education teachers at the schools, Mike Finnizio (Webster) and Jose Perez (Roosevelt).
The youngsters then competed in several events: high jump, long jump, shot put, discus and javelin (using special rubberized equipment), obstacle course, hurdles, the 400 and 800 meter runs, and a relay race.
Each of the participants received a T-shirt representing their school for participating. The Webster School kids received a green shirt, while Roosevelt School students proudly wore their school colors of blue and gold.
The Weehawken Junior Olympics are part of the national program set up by the President's Council for Physical Fitness. The students are taught the proper techniques of the events in their respective gym classes during the school year, then practice before the two-day event.
"The gym teachers basically act as coaches in preparing the kids for the Olympics," said Chuck Barone, the township's recreation director and coordinator of the event. "This way, they have a feel for the different events and they know what to expect when the Olympics come up in March."
The lesser-known sports
The program also enables youngsters who don't necessarily have a chance to succeed in the township's other major sports (football, basketball and baseball) to excel in another venue.
"It gives those kids who don't participate in the other sports a chance to showcase their talents," Barone said. "They all seem to have a good time and get really excited about being in it. We really try to give it an Olympic flavor, complete with the flags of different countries, a parade of competitors and a torch bearer."
The opening ceremonies Saturday featured the parade, followed by the presentation of the torch bearer, who this year was Jennifer Penafiel. She read the Athletics and Olympics Creed.
For the first time, there was a demonstration of archery, with 10 of the Recreation program's best archers showing off the skills they've learned since the inception of the program in November. Archery has become very popular among the youngsters, thanks to the insistence of Barone.
Some of the day's better participants were Damian Corredor and Cara Keating, both of whom won four medals each.
Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner was on hand to help present the medals.
"It's great fun," Turner said. "There's nothing more rewarding than seeing the kids standing on the podium, receiving the medals, and seeing their faces absolutely beaming with pride. The parents are thrilled, the kids are excited. It's a great way to end the winter months. It's two long days, but we're able to get great parental support."
Barone credited the efforts of the gym teachers who volunteered their time during the two days to coordinate the program.
"They give up their time all weekend," Barone said. "Incredibly, they want to see if they can add more events for next year. They're really dedicated. Joe Perez wants to see if he can keep adding more and more kids, because he has so many who want to participate." Barone is impressed how the program has grown over the years.
"I think when we first implemented it, we weren't sure how many kids would get involved," Barone said. "But now, we have 160 or so kids involved over a full weekend. It's great to have so many kids involved."
And feeling that Olympic spirit.
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