Lots to cheer about at Bon Soo High School Olympics

Approximately 300 Sault and Algoma District secondary school students enjoyed the Annual Bon Soo High School Olympics held outside The Machine Shop on Thursday.

It was the first Olympics since February 2020, COVID-19 having suspended outdoor activities in 2021 and 2022.

“It feels really good to be here. We put a lot of work into this and it’s really nice to see it pay off and see everyone come together after these long years of COVID. I haven’t seen a lot of these people since COVID began,” said Teagan Britten, Algoma District School Board Grade 12 student trustee from Michipicoten High School in Wawa.

“Hearing the cheering, hearing the kids’ voices is fantastic and they’re feeling a sense of normalcy that everybody’s been looking for. This is an event that was always looked forward to in terms of bringing the different schools across our communities together,” said Lucia Reece, ADSB director of education.

“It’s part of our ABCD program - Action for Building a Community that is Drug-Free - and it’s a great opportunity to celebrate natural highs, giving the kids an opportunity to get out and get some fresh air. It’s good for their mental health. These are activities that they can do together that promote natural well-being,” Reece said. 

Bon Soo High School Olympics activities included tug-of-war, an annual favourite with students.

High schools taking part in Thursday’s Olympics included Chapleau High School, Central Algoma Secondary School (CASS), Superior Heights, Elliot Lake Secondary, Korah, Michipicoten High School, White Pines, St. Mary’s College of the Huron-Superor Catholic District School Board and - for the first time - École Notre-Dame-Du-Sault of Conseil Scolaire Catholique du Nouvel Ontario (French Catholic School Board).