12th annual Foundation Games in Orange draws more than 1,700 athletes

Jackson Christie of Cerro Villa Middle School catches air in the long jump competition during the opening day of the Community Foundation of Orange’s Foundation Games 2017 at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange on Friday, April 21, 2017. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Family and friends watch from behind the fence as student athletes compete during the opening day of the Community Foundation of Orange’s Foundation Games 2017 at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange on Friday, April 21, 2017. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Family and friends watch from behind the fence as the athletes cross the finish line during the opening day of the Community Foundation of Orange’s Foundation Games 2017 at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange on Friday, April 21, 2017. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Student athletes competing in the boys 100-meter dash get a quick start off the line during the opening day of the Community Foundation of Orange’s Foundation Games 2017 at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange on Friday, April 21, 2017. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Student athletes competing in the boys 400-meter dash race to the finish line during the opening day of the Community Foundation of Orange’s Foundation Games 2017 at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange on Friday, April 21, 2017. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Student athletes competing in the boys 4×100-meter relay race down the track during the opening day of the Community Foundation of Orange’s Foundation Games 2017 at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange on Friday, April 21, 2017. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Student athletes competing in the boys 4×100-meter relay race down the track during the opening day of the Community Foundation of Orange’s Foundation Games 2017 at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange on Friday, April 21, 2017. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The cheer squad from Santiago Middle School root for their athletes during the opening day of the Community Foundation of Orange’s Foundation Games 2017 at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange on Friday, April 21, 2017. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Boys competing in the 100-meter dash wait to get called to the starting line during the opening day of the Community Foundation of Orange’s Foundation Games 2017 at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange on Friday, April 21, 2017. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Student athletes in the girls 400-meter dash race to the finish line during the opening day of the Community Foundation of Orange’s Foundation Games 2017 at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange on Friday, April 21, 2017. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Student athletes in the girls 100-meter dash get a quick start off the line during the opening day of the Community Foundation of Orange’s Foundation Games 2017 at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange on Friday, April 21, 2017. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Expand

More than 1,700 young athletes gathered over the weekend to run, jump, throw and have fun during the 12th annual Foundation Games at Fred Kelly Stadium.

Hosted by the Community Foundation of Orange, this year’s games were one of the biggest yet, drawing students from elementary and middle schools to participate in a host of track and field events.

Started as a revival of the city’s former “Dash for D.A.R.E.” track meet, the annual two-day event was made possible through the help of 350 volunteers.

Susie Cunningham, executive director of the Community Foundation, said one of the games’ charms is the transformation of the students who compete.

Many with no prior interest in athletics have discovered unknown talents and now lead their high school teams, she said. “They leave here different than they came.”

One such student is Ben Hepner, a sophomore at El Modena High School.

Hepner started in the games as a first grader – he said he remembers not having very high expectations, but to his surprise, he took first place in every event he participated in. Hepner went on to compete in the games for nine years, and then returned for the last two years as a volunteer.

“I’m so excited to help the little kids, because I was in their spot years ago,” Hepner said. “I’m hoping they get the same enjoyment out of it that I do.”

For some students, the impact of the games isn’t in taking home medals, but getting a chance to be part of a team.

Orange’s Skyview Elementary School, which serves homeless children, had 11 students participate, eight of whom won medals. Skyview Site Liaison Diane Estill said for many of the students, this is the only chance they’ve had to participate in an organized sports event – several were given shoes so they can compete.

Estill said she’s seen new friendships forged through friendly competition – being on a team has turned at-odds students into fast friends, she said.

“There’s times where you kind of have a misfit type kid who is kind of the nerd of the group and might be picked on or treated poorly during the year,” Estill said. “When they become part of the team, all of a sudden you see the kids who might not have been very kind to them cheering them on and getting enthusiastic.”

For other kids, it’s not about winning or making new friends, but pushing themselves to try something new. Community Foundation of Orange Board member Moira Singer remembers one case she said left a lasting impact on her.

“One of our students was in a very long race, a full lap behind everyone else. Everyone finished, people were chatting and then they realized there was still a little boy out there,” Singer said. “He just kept plugging away, and when he got to the finish line, it was the biggest cheer I’ve ever heard. He just kept going – he had the biggest smile on his face. I think about him when I’ve got something tough to do.”

12th annual Foundation Games in Orange draws more than 1,700 athletes

Leave a Reply