2 min read

Sixth-grade teacher Laura Merrill generates energy with “Team Canada” Wednesday during “2024 Winter Owl-ympics!” at Walton Elementary School in Auburn. Five teams (Finland, Norway, Sweden, Italy and Canada) of students participated in Olympic-style games during the event, which was a special reward for following the school’s core values of being safe, responsible and respectful. Walton’s school mascot is the owl. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal
Fifth-grader Brooklynn Tucker, 11, of “Team Norway” competes in the long jump Wednesday during “2024 Winter Owl-ympics!” at Walton Elementary School in Auburn. Five teams (Finland, Norway, Sweden, Italy and Canada) of students participated in Olympic style-games during the event, which was a special reward for following the school’s core values of being safe, responsible and respectful. Walton’s school mascot is the owl. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal
Third-grader Judson Wright of “Team Finland” raises his hands Wednesday following the “Move the M&M” final during “2024 Winter Owl-ympics!” at Walton Elementary School in Auburn. Five teams (Finland, Norway, Sweden, Italy and Canada) of students participated in Olympic-style games during the event, which was a special reward for following the school’s core values of being safe, responsible and respectful. Walton’s school mascot is the owl. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal
Sixth-grader Scarlette St. Laurent cheers Wednesday for “Team Canada” during “2024 Winter Owl-ympics!” at Walton Elementary School in Auburn. Five teams (Finland, Norway, Sweden, Italy and Canada) of students participated in Olympic-style games during the event, which was a special reward for following the school’s core values of being safe, responsible and respectful. Walton’s school mascot is the owl. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal
Jen Eugley, right, reacts as the cauldron is lit Wednesday during “2024 Winter Owl-ympics!” opening ceremonies at Walton Elementary School in Auburn. Five teams (Finland, Norway, Sweden, Italy and Canada) of students participated in Olympic-style games during the event, which was a special reward for following the school’s core values of being safe, responsible and respectful. Walton’s school mascot is the owl. Eugley, a Walton parent and substitute teacher, helped organize the Owl-ympic games. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal
Third-grader Jaxan Knight, 8, congratulates his “Team Sweden” teammate Wednesday during “2024 Winter Owl-ympics!” at Walton Elementary School in Auburn. Five teams (Finland, Norway, Sweden, Italy and Canada) of students participated in Olympic-style games during the event, which was a special reward for following the school’s core values of being safe, responsible and respectful. Walton’s school mascot is the owl. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Daryn Slover always pulls for the underdog - what would you expect from someone that was raised in Cleveland and lives in Lewiston. He drinks cheap coffee and cheap beer so that he can afford to put his...