By Heather Bell
RADFORD – As elite athletes perform on the world stage in the Winter Olympics, Radford High School students have been competing at school and learning life lessons along the way.
Radford High School started a new program this year. Each student has been assigned an advisory class with small groups of students, typically around 15, that meet together with a faculty member for thirty minutes each week.
“The topics addressed each week in advisory classes vary, but the goal remains constant: forming connecting relationships,” said Rebecca Caufman, library media specialist for Radford High School and Dalton Intermediate School.
“This month RHS advisory classes are participating in Advisory Olympics, which coincide with
the 2022 Winter Olympics,” said Caufman.
The Advisory Olympics began on Feb. 2 with a Winter Olympics Trivia Game.
“Through this game students learned interesting facts such as which country has hosted the most Winter Olympics, what do the five Olympic rings represent, and what is the name of this year’s mascot?” Caufman said. “With this background knowledge in place, each of our 38 advisory teachers opened a sealed envelope and informed their group which country they would be representing in our Olympic games. Groups were encouraged to research their country, decorate, and get ready for Feb. 9. when our events would begin.”
On Wednesday, Feb. 9, the school held an opening ceremony, which was live-streamed from the RHS Bobcast YouTube News Channel.
“News anchors Liam Cherry and Vance Steele got teams ready for their first two events: Distance Throw and Free Ski Big Air.,” said Caufman. “All members of the school were asked to participate in the two events, and advisory coaches recorded the best score on a school-wide form. While the activities began, we also had a torch relay that began at the RHS library and traveled from class to class.”
This past Wednesday, students participated in their final two events: sailing and diving. They will wrap all the festivities up with a closing ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 23, when school winners will be announced and given their medals.
“Advisory Olympics may look like just a bunch of fun and games but it is actually so much more,” Caufman said. “These Olympics strengthen relationships, address all of Virginia’s 5 C’s [critical thinking, creative thinking, communication, collaboration, and citizenship skills], highlight world events, and unite us together as Bobcats.”