It’s not every day Westmoreland students hear from an Olympic superstar.
Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, the most decorated American gymnast ever and perhaps the greatest gymnast of all-time, offered words of encouragement to Westmoreland students in a special video message after learning this year’s “Olympic Day” was cancelled due to COVID-19. 
In the video, Biles says: “Hi Westmoreland students, it’s Simone Biles. I hear you aren’t able to have your ‘Olympic Day’ this year. I just wanted to encourage you all to stay positive and active this summer. I’ll be working towards next year’s Olympics myself.”
Biles is a five-time World all-around champion, five-time World floor exercise champion, three-time World balance beam champion, two-time World vault champion, a six-time United States national all-around champion and a member of the gold-medal-winning American teams at the 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2019 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. Her 30 Olympic and World Championship medals are the most ever for an American gymnast and her five World all-around titles are the most all-time for a female gymnast.
At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Biles won individual gold medals in all-around, vault and floor; bronze in balance beam; and gold as part of the United States team. She is preparing to compete in the Summer Olympics in Tokyo next year, which was postponed a year due to COVID-19.
“Olympic Day” for students in grades K-6 is held every June before the end of the school year. The tradition started more than 40 years ago.
The fun event typically kicks off in the morning with an opening ceremony at the Primary Elementary School. Each class, while carrying a unique team banner, parades around the bus circle to Olympic-themed music in front of family and friends. Classes in each grade then go head-to-head in various track and field events and other games throughout the day. When not competing, classes take turns eating lunch with their families and playing in the Primary and Upper Elementary School gyms, where there are more games and bounce houses.
In June, Physical Education teacher Mr. Williams, who organizes “Olympic Day,” and Mr. Cardillo, created a tribute video featuring special messages from several other Olympians to celebrate the iconic day that, unfortunately, could not take place this year.
Westmoreland thanks Simone Biles for her inspiring words!