Kids at Bailey Elementary, their love for sports

When I signed up to volunteer with Positive Opportunities for Wellness, Exercise and Reading (P.O.W.E.R.) KIDS at Bailey Elementary — a partner program of the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation — I pictured myself reading books or indulging the endless curiosities of young students. Instead, I found myself assigned to Holly Pettlon, director of the Paul W. Ahrens Fitness Center, in what can only be described as poetic justice for someone who, for most of their early school years, was an expert in avoiding physical education classes.

The kids at Bailey Elementary have no reservations about their love for sports. Their enthusiasm made me realize that the encouragement of community members like Pettlon, who volunteer weekly, is what helps build future generations of Grinnellian athletes.

Cohn, a second-grader who plays softball at Bailey Elementary. (Thai Theodoro)

With the help from Josh Smith, principal at Bailey Park and Fairview Elementary, I sat down with a group of first and second graders to talk about their favorite sports.

Jack, a first grader devoted to football, lit up at the mention of the sport.

“It’s fun, and I like touchdowns,” he said, all smiles.

Jack’s already accumulated some memorable on-field experiences.

“So we played a game. I hate ladybugs, and a ladybug flew into my mouth. I spit it,” he recalled, half-laughing at the memory.

Jack, a first-grader who plays football at Bailey Elementary. (Thai Theodoro)

Cohn, a second grader, is serious about softball — so serious that when asked for a funny story, she gave a swift, “No.”

But, she didn’t hesitate to share her ultimate goal––

“A patrol for softball,” she said with certainty.

Noah, a first grader, was eager to share his post-game ritual.

“My favorite snack after a game is Oreos,” he said, before quickly mentioning his favorite team –– “The Bulls.”

Nova, another first grader, has a soft spot for volleyball.

Nova, another first-grader who plays volleyball. (Thai Theodoro)

“I play sometimes. I play with my sister and my mom,” she said. “We played volleyball with my mom, so the ball kept going out of our hands, and we all had to go back and get it.”

As for her career plans, Nova is already juggling possibilities.

“A babysitter or a dog babysitter,” she said confidently.

These kids’ ear-to-ear grins and their excitement at having their picture taken pulled me back to a time when even the smallest gym class victory felt monumental, and elementary school community was the steady breeze pushing me forward.