The 55th Carnival of Champions
April 15, 2019
On March 29, the Downey Unified School District held the 55th annual Carnival of Champions at Warren High School. The event is an athletic competition held between all of the district’s elementary schools.
With its focus on the elementary schools of the district, the carnival helps bring the community out in support of the young students competing. Downey Unified School District (DUSD) employee Karen Soldara feels that the event has become an integral part of the Downey.
“It [the Carnival of Champions] represents the history of our community in general,” Soldara said. “I grew up in Downey and was a participant in the Carnival of Champions, so coming back here as a employee as well as a parent gives me a townley and homely feeling.”
The aim of Carnival of Champions is to get the district’s elementary students excited about being active. 5th grade Rio Hondo elementary teacher, Max Ulaner, feels that this is accomplished with the wide variety of activities at the event.
“There are differents events for them to compete in,” Ulaner said. “Softball throw if they like baseball, running if they’re into track and field. No matter what they’re into, if it involves being active, it’s here.”
In it’s 55 years, the Carnival of Champions has left an imprint on the lives of many of its past competitors. District superintendent Dr. John Garcia, one of these past competitors, feels that the carnival leaves an impact on those involved that will be felt for the rest of their lives.
“When I was an elementary school student in the late 1970s, I was a competitor in the carnival of champions and I still remember it like it was yesterday,” Garcia said. “I think that every kid that participates in the Carnival of Champions will absolutely remember it for the rest of their lives.”
Information on the schools that participated this year can be found below.
