The gymnasium at Stettler Secondary School was full of cheering, chanting and colourful students as they competed in the Duck Dynasty Olympics last Wednesday and Thursday.
Students headed to the gymnasium in grade groups, wearing bright colours that indicated teams, and competed in different relay events that required each teammate to work hard to keep their team ahead.
The gymnasium was decorated with hunting decoys, homemade cardboard outhouses, and other rustic Duck Dynasty-themed decorations. Participating teachers wore camouflage and false beards to look like the stars of the A&E television program after which the competitions were named.
The school-wide activity day for all grades is now in its fifth year, and each year has a different theme. In the past, the school has had Dr. Suess Days and Aussie days. “We did Duck Dynasty because it was popular, and we wanted to see if we could get kids to get outside more and enjoy the outdoors and take a family member with them,” said Kim Poapst, a teacher at the school. “We tied it into the Olympics, which had just finished, and the Paralympics, which are just starting.”
The Stettler event saw the school’s 500 students have a chance to work with their classmates and kids from the other classes in their grades.
“Over the two days, each grade does activities for an hour-and-half,” Poapst said. “We incorporate a theme, fitness activities and life strategies.”
The students from one of the school’s Grade 3 classes shared what they enjoyed about the day, and noted the rafts, the boot/shirt relay, the chicken toss and the obstacle course were amongst their favourites.
The students also said they liked the decorations.
“Being a school-wide event, we need help and as always, we just need to ask,” Poapst said, adding she was really “wowed” by the contributions from her class.
“Our staff and community are always willing to lend a hand.”