After two weeks of shortened periods, class cancellations, thousands of baht spent, costumes created, and the arrival of the Brother in charge of all 15 or so Assumption schools in Thailand, the school celebrated Sports Day last Friday. As described previously, all teachers and students in grades four and up were divided into four different colors, red, black, grey, and blue. Throughout the last month different colors competed against one another in various sports. Over the last two weeks, students have spent hours preparing for the all important cheer competition. That is the main focus of Sports Day.
The day started earlier than usual, as students walked down the partially closed main street in Ubon (slowing the rush hour traffic and only causing one accident from rubber necking). After parading down the three to four kilometer stretch, the students marched on to the school field for the opening ceremonies where the torch was set aflame, ala the Olympics. Throughout the rest of the day the students danced and cheered, interspersed with running races. The dances ranged from hip hop to traditional. Amidst the elaborate costumes and carefully choreographed dances, the school campus had a palpable energy of excitement that had been building over the last week. It had seemed that in the days leading up to Sports Day, the students were a little more restless, a little more distracted, and a little more smiley, as the anticipation built.
My horrible description does not do the day justice so I will let the photographs and video speak for themselves.
The day started earlier than usual, as students walked down the partially closed main street in Ubon (slowing the rush hour traffic and only causing one accident from rubber necking). After parading down the three to four kilometer stretch, the students marched on to the school field for the opening ceremonies where the torch was set aflame, ala the Olympics. Throughout the rest of the day the students danced and cheered, interspersed with running races. The dances ranged from hip hop to traditional. Amidst the elaborate costumes and carefully choreographed dances, the school campus had a palpable energy of excitement that had been building over the last week. It had seemed that in the days leading up to Sports Day, the students were a little more restless, a little more distracted, and a little more smiley, as the anticipation built.
My horrible description does not do the day justice so I will let the photographs and video speak for themselves.