The Wonderful Winter Olympics

Mackenzie Kuba '29

Staff Writer

Students and teachers across the school say this year’s Winter Olympics left them feeling energized, inspired, and more connected to sports they do not usually watch. Instead of a quiet winter, the Games became a shared experience that sparked excitement in classrooms and living rooms alike.

The global competition delivered plenty of drama. After winning gold, American skiing star Mikaela Shiffrin told NBC Sports, “I felt the pressure every second out there, but that’s what the Olympics are about.” Her words resonated with many students who said they admired the intense dedication behind every performance.

One student explained how that pressure made the victories even more meaningful, “I myself have grown up playing sports and have been under pressure before,” Cape Henlopen Sophie Sockriter. “The athletes have worked most of their lives doing this and they have been through many highs and lows so, getting a medal shows the hard work that they have put in.” 

Team events added even more excitement, especially the United States Women’s Hockey team, defeating Canada once again in a rivalry that many described as the edge of your seat watching.

A teacher shared how the team events brought people together at home and at school. Teacher Robert Harrod explained, “I was so happy and proud to be an American and the Olympics really brought that out.” This perspective highlights how the Olympics created a sense of unity, even for those watching from afar.

The Games also introduced many students to sports they rarely think about, like skeleton and curling. At first, some were confused by curling’s strategy or intimidated by the speed of skeleton. But both sports gained surprising popularity, contributing to the Olympics reaching 23.5 million viewers. Students said discovering these smaller events made the experience feel fresh and exciting.

Student Jack Wilmont reflected on this sense of discovery, “I learned a lot more about the newer and unknown events such as skeleton and cross country skiing.” This quote reinforces the idea that the Olympics didn’t just entertain, it expanded what students thought winter sports could be.

As the closing ceremony ended, many viewers were left with a renewed appreciation for the athletes and the stories behind each event. Whether cheering for big name competitions or finding new favorites, students and teachers agreed that the Winter Olympics brought a spark of excitement to the season and reminded them of the power of global sports to bring people together.