Lake County Gazette

After postponing the event from May 1 due to rain, the sun was shining in blue skies for the annual 4th Grade Jamboree on May 6, 2025, at Kahok Stadium.

The annual 4th Grade Jamboree is a friendly, outdoor athletic competition hosted by the Collinsville school district for all fourth-grade students in the community's public and private schools.

This year, 550 students participated.

The schools that took part are:

- Caseyville Elementary School

- Dorris Intermediate School

- Kreitner Elementary School

- Maryville Elementary School

- Renfro Elementary School

- Summit Elementary School

- Twin Echo Elementary School

- Webster Elementary School

- Good Shepherd Lutheran School

- Holy Cross Lutheran School

- Maryville Christian School

- St. John Neumann Catholic School

- Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic School

The Jamboree is a fun Olympic-style competition where students earn participation ribbons and special recognition for placing in top spots of each event. Although some events get competitive, the goal is for everyone to have a good time.

Ryan Sidwell said: "The goal is for everyone to have a good time."

The events included running competitions such as the 50 meter dash and field events like the Long Jump. The day concluded with a tug-of-war competition between schools. This year, Mrs. Whitener's class from Kreitner Elementary School won.

Each child who participated received a complimentary t-shirt color-coded by school thanks to generous sponsors who provided funding:

- Abstracts & Titles, Inc.

- Agavero Grill & Cantina

- Busey Banks

- Collinsville Area Community Foundation

- Collinsville Chamber of Commerce

- Collinsville Township

- CMC Rotary

- FCB Banks

- First Student

- Holland Construction Services, Inc.

- Millennium Construction, LLC.

Many individuals contributed to making this event successful:

- Ryan Sidwell coordinated the event.

- District PE teachers assisted.

- Volunteers and CHS students helped out.

- Clay Smith ensured Kahok Stadium was ready.

- Sodexo prepared and served lunch onsite.

- Brad Hyre coordinated bus transportation with First Student.

- Student resource officers provided security.

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