Photos by SuperSource Media, LLC.
BALLSTON SPA — Wednesday, Jan 30. The Empire State Winter Games (ESWG) Torch Relays ran through the Ballston Spa school district. Ballston Spa School district was invited by the ESWG to be a host stop on the ESWG commencement relay that begins in New York City and ends in Lake Placid, as their district’s location fell along their relay track this year.
ESWG is the largest annual amateur athlete sporting event in North America with participants as young as four years old. The games span several days featuring various sports including cross country skiing, luge, and figure skating. In preparation for the passing of the torch, Ballston Spa educators incorporated discussions about the winter games into the physical education curriculum.
“They just did a sixth grade Olympics last week Friday, so it kind of tied into that (the torch relays),” said Stuart Williams, Community relations coordinator. Despite the district’s two hour delayed opening the Light-emitting-diode (LED) torch passed through the hands of Ballston High school star runners Faith Demars and Ben Guerin as planned. Juniors Demars and Guerin took the torch through the district to the Milton Terrace Elementary School as police followed closely behind.
According to Guerin, “it’s the first time (participating in the torch relays) …we’re excited.”
Following the passing of the torch, the ESWG representatives took the time to talk to the National Junior Honor Society students about the sporting event, and how to sign up themselves. The games will take place at the Adirondack Park Jan. 31, through Feb. 3.
