The Pentathlon Games: A Celebration of Heart

by Nancy Murray, Santa Cruz Waldorf School parent

In being part of the Waldorf School and community for the past two years, my children have been given exceptional opportunities to grow and learn. I have felt joy in watching them develop self-confidence, grace and a deeper sense of themselves as human beings.

An occasion which offered a shining example of the essential quality I have come to value in Waldorf education was the Fifth Grade Pentathlon Games. Preparation for the games was a year-long journey. The children worked hard all year with their teacher, Mrs. DaRosa, and Mr. Walters. They perfected their skills in javelin and discus throwing, ran untold laps around the campus, and wrestled with each other on many hot afternoons.

Their hard work and discipline paid off. On May 9, the class drove to San Francisco's Golden Gate Park where they were joined by several other fifth graders from Waldorf schools around the Bay. The children, over a hundred in all, were divided into six city-states of Ancient Greece. Many parents attended the games, participating as judges, chaperones and spectators. The children would each participate in six events: the javelin, the discus, the long jump, the long and short runs, and wrestling.

The excitement and anticipation were palpable in the air. The morning, which had begun as gray and overcast, soon turned into a brilliant spring day.

After the opening ceremony, the games began. Each city-state was directed to an event, and continued rotating throughout the day, ensuring each group's participation in each event.

I knew the children would perform with grace, beauty, skill and strength. What I had not expected, and what became for me the hallmark of the games, was the overwhelming encouragement, support, genuine caring and generosity of spirit the children displayed to and for one another. Whether they were watching an event their friends were in, or competing against each other, there was heartfelt cheering at every turn.

What I experienced that day was the pure essence of the children. Their heart, will and belief in themselves and each other was, for me, the most inspiring highlight of the day. These were not merely athletic games. Even now, I am hard pressed to remember how many laurel wreaths Michelle DaRosa's class brought home. What stays with me still is having witnessed the soul of what the games represent. Without even realizing it, the children went through a rite of passage that day. In the end, these Pentathlon games were not about winning or losing, or about bringing home a laurel wreath. The games were about working together, encouraging each other, believing in themselves and their peers. This re-affirmed to me the value of what a Waldorf education truly represents--children striving, reaching, challenging themselves and each other to be the best they can be.