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Optimists’ youth track meet marks its 30th anniversary
Optimist Track 5 es
Sophie Ralph holds up ribbons she won in various events. - photo by Emily Saunders
Everything “ran a like a breeze” during the Forsyth-Cumming Optimist Club’s annual youth track and field day.

Club president Sandy Orr said the event, now in its 30th year, was one of the best to date.

“Everything went very well,” she said. “Everything ran smoothly. The students had a blast. [Forsyth County] Parks and Rec helped a lot, and we had a lot of volunteers.”

Students in first through fifth grades participated in a variety of events, including relays, 50- and 100-yard dashes, ball throws and long jumps.

Orr said about 150 students representing nearly every public elementary school and home school group in the county participated in the meet at Forsyth Central High School. About 100 parents also attended.

She thanked school physical education teachers for their support.

“They all encourage the students to come out and even practice some of the events at school,” she said.

Orr said probably the most popular events were the “running events.”

“I think that’s because they’re direct competition,” she said. “Those have always been the most popular.”

First-, second- and third-place ribbons were awarded in each event. Every student received a participation ribbon.

Orr said the meet will continue next year.

“Just to see the joy on the children’s faces when they come over to the awards table is just the best,” she said.