Team USA (Image courtesy of LMSD)
The Opening Ceremonies for the 2026 Winter Olympics is slated for Feb. 6 on a global stage. But that didn’t stop the Lower Merion School District from creating a bit of the games right here at home. The entire celebration didn’t even require a flight to Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
Instead, the kindergarteners at Penn Valley Elementary School kicked off its own pint-sized version of the world’s biggest sporting event right in the school’s own gymnasium. Led by physical education teacher Mr. Corey Luttrell, the Panthers were split into teams of four or five students, each proudly representing a different country.
Teams from the United States, Italy, Japan, Jamaica, and Argentina competed in unique competitions to go for the gold. For example, students were able to play “a fun-filled activity inspired by the sport of curling—a game where players slide stones across ice toward a circular target.”
“Instead of stones, students rolled colorful foam balls down an adaptive bowling ramp, cheering each other on as they tried to land their team’s balls closest to the center,” said a press release from LMSD.
No matter how they performed, the students were excited to cheer one another on throughout the activities.
“By the end of the competition, based on all the smiles and celebrations, it was clear that everyone walked away a winner—earning “gold medals” in teamwork, sportsmanship, and having a whole lot of fun!” said the district’s release.
Congratulations to the medalists. Schedules for the worldwide games are available online here. Games will run from Feb. 6 to 22.
Team Japan (Image courtesy of LMSD)
Team Jamaica (Image courtesy of LMSD)
Team Italy (Image courtesy of LMSD)
Team Argentina (Image courtesy of LMSD)
