Smiles filled Andy Hardin Field in Hollister on Friday
afternoon, as student-athletes of the sixth annual Baler Gifted
Games leapt, ran and threw their way through the event. As with all
of the previous five gifted games, the athletes were all winners as
students and parents from Hollister and Gilroy cheered them on.
Smiles filled Andy Hardin Field in Hollister on Friday afternoon, as student-athletes of the sixth annual Baler Gifted Games leapt, ran and threw their way through the event. As with all of the previous five gifted games, the athletes were all winners as students and parents from Hollister and Gilroy cheered them on.
For the third year, students from the Gilroy Unified School District joined the gifted games, lifting the total participants to 287 people. More than 1,000 additional people filled the football field as athletes participated in 100-yard dashes and other activities.
Students from high schools and grade schools from throughout the area participated in the games, as tents were set up at the north end of the field. And the stands at the south end were filled to the brink with spectators.
The joy at the event, though, resonated throughout the field area.
San Benito High School student Jonathan Byron simply said it felt good to take part in the event.
“Because it’s fun,” he added, as he was basking in excitement while hugging others from his team.
For volunteers Megan Warner and Veronica Johnson, who as members of San Benito High School’s Associated Student Body and Rally Club helped put on the event, the enjoyment came from the community support.
“It’s great to see people here cheering them on,” Johnson said. “Kids usually wouldn’t say anything, and now they are cheering them on. It’s great.”
For the first time, the gifted games will shift its venue moving to Gilroy for next year, and afterward the hosting city will change each year. The event’s name will be shortened, as well, to the Gifted Games.
For the full story pick up a copy of the Free Lance on Tuesday.
