Working it out at the Mer-O-Lympics

More than 40 kids ran, jumped and played at the third annual Merr-O-Lympics at Chatterton Elementary School on May 16.

Elementary and middle school students had the opportunity to participate in five activities, including the standing long jump, vertical jump, sit and reach, and more at the event hosted by the Merrick Kiwanis Club.

"The idea was to get kids off the sofa and get them moving," event Chairman Dr. Richard Seibert said. "This was a Kiwanis-sponsored event geared towards getting kids motivated and moving beyond the confines of organized sports."

Every participant took home a gold medal, and the top finishers for boys and girls were sent home with trophies.

Taking first place for the boys was Jack Latham, a fourth-grader Camp Avenue Elementary School. Benjamin November, an eighth-grader at Merrick Avenue Middle School, came in second place, and Vincent Wilson, a fourth-grader at Chatterton School, came in third.

For the girls, Geina Brown, a seventh-grade student at Merrick Avenue Middle School, placed first; Brianna Kitchener, an eighth-grader, placed second, and Bailey McLoughlin, a sixth-grader at Old Mill Road School, came in third.

"We wanted to show kids it doesn't have to be competitive," Kiwanis President Tammy McLoughlin said. "You can always get involved in these activities, and it can be fun."

Volunteers from Professional Performance Athletic Center coached the event, and Anthony's Ices donated snacks.

McLoughlin also expressed her thanks to physical education teacher Matt Schneider from Chatterton School for his help.

Comments about this story? SZeidler@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 236.