Submitted by Karen Schoessel, Day of Champions chairperson
On 29, 2024, May at South Sound Stadium, over 360 students from every school in North Thurston Public Schools enjoyed the 18th annual Day of Champions. This special event is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of North Thurston in collaboration with North Thurston Public Schools. It is nicknamed: The Day of A Million Smiles.
Day of Champions is a free, all volunteer event specifically designed for students K-12 with special needs and challenges. Participants arrive at the stadium greeted by hundreds of cheering military volunteers, cheerleaders and mascots—with upbeat music provided by the NTHS band. They proudly wear their Day of Champions tee shirts on this day and throughout the year until they get a new one next year. Marching in the Parade of Champions, they carry their school signs behind the Army’s Big Foot Brass Band and military volunteers from 7 different units at JBLM. Families and spectators cheer as they march around the track before heading to their first station. Participants enjoy the highly-modified track and field stations—Big Ball, Obstacle Course, Javelin (using swim noodles), etc. Each station allows students of ALL abilities to engage in the activity. Following lunch and receiving medals (ALL receive a medal) everyone returns to the field for a large dance party led by the high-energy cheerleaders. Everyone leaves at the end of the day with a smile, sense of camaraderie and unity and definitely- a bit of exhaustion.
This year over 500 volunteers–including 200 Military volunteers along with over 50+ high school cheerleaders, hundreds of high school student volunteers (Key Clubs, mascots, Honor Society, Unified Club, InterAct Club, Booster Club), community and district staff volunteers, mascots, etc. added to the festive and supportive atmosphere in the stadium. The high-five’s, cheers of encouragement and celebration were non-stop.
Community volunteers from Lacey PD, Lacey Fire District 3, Intercity Transit, and South Sound Reading Foundation provided support, display vehicles and free books. Community service organizations provide displays and information for families.
The original Day of Champions was held in 2003 in North Thurston with 150 student participants. Since then and due to the huge popularity of this event, expansion Day of Champions events are now held in Tumwater, Yelm, Steilacoom, Shelton and Bellevue. Smaller school districts are invited to several of these events. It is the hope of the Day of Champions planners that SOMEDAY there will be a Day of Champions in every school district in our state.
