A member of Team Nigeria in mid-hop during the Sack Race.
Team USA mightily competes in the Unite-and-Pull.
Team Puerto Rico enters Newark Schools Stadium at the second annual Newark Games.
65 schools representing 16 countries comprise 1 school district united in celebrating diversity, competition
NEWARK, N.J. – Under bright sunny skies and in a freshly-renovated Newark Schools Stadium, thousands of Newark Public Schools students of all ages celebrated their diversity in the spirit of friendly competition at the district’s second-annual Newark Games on Tuesday.
In the end, it was Team Ecuador who won the Gold, Team Haiti who won the Silver, and Team Egypt took the Bronze – with Team Ghana winning the Sportsmanship Award and Team Morocco winning the Spirit Award. But the point of the Newark Games wasn’t winning medals, but building ties among students of different ages, cultural backgrounds, and parts of the city so they could come together to bring out the best in each other.
“This was an incredible day for Newark Public Schools and the City of Newark,” said Superintendent León. “Students from every grade level came together to celebrate their cultures, build new friendships, and demonstrate what can happen when we work together toward a common goal.”
Each of the district’s 65 schools were organized into a total of 16 teams, each representing the countries that most reflected the cultural backgrounds of Newark Public Schools students and their families. In addition to the medal-winning countries, teams represented Brazil, China, Dominican Republic, France, Greart Britain, Jamaica, Nigeria, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Spain, and United States. While everyone knows Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, its unique cultural identity for our students was recognized for the Newark Games.
A deejay kept the music playing almost nonstop as students in grades pre-K through grade 12 packed the stands and competed in several events including sprint relays, three-legged races, potato sack races, and the “Unite and Pull” contest (a friendly twist on tug-of-war to a tug-of-peace). Side games like corn hole, ring toss, and a Connect Four relay added to the fun.
The day reached its peak with final championships in the Unite and Pull, an obstacle course challenge, and the most anticipated event: the final sprint relay. In this powerful display of unity, students passed the baton from pre-K to 12th grade, symbolizing collaboration across ages, grades, and schools.
Superintendent León thanked and acknowledged many staff members who helped make the day possible, beginning with Elizabeth Aranjo, Director of Physical Education, Health, & Athletics who spearheaded the entire event with the support of the high school athletic directors, physical education teachers, teachers, and support staff from the schools and Central Office.
“The Newark Games represent the very best of who we are as a school district and as a city,” said Board of Education President Hasani K. Council. “Our students come from many cultures, speak many languages, and bring unique experiences to our schools, yet they stand together as one Newark Public Schools family. Events like this teach our young people that diversity is a strength, teamwork is essential, and unity creates opportunities for everyone to succeed.”
CLICK HERE to see the Newark Games final relay.
