Students Compete at International Children`s Games

Four Hawken students competed for in the International Children`s Games in Coventry, England July 6-11. Jennifer `08 and David `10 Aronoff, Louise Gliga `08 and Courtney Tumbush `09 were chosen to compete in swimming for Team Cleveland at the games. Rick Stacy, the assistant swimming coach at Hawken, was the coach of the Cleveland swimming team for the third year in a row. Jennifer Aronoff took home two silver medals in the 50m breaststroke and 200m individual medley and a bronze in the 100m breaststroke. She said the best part about the Games was meeting kids from all around the world and exchanging e-mail addresses with her new friends. Courtney Tumbush, who participated in last year`s games held in Cleveland, also enjoyed the time between the events. "Everyday after all the sports were over, people would hang around outside the door and talk to the kids from other cities and trade t-shirts and pins that represent the city," she said. Jennifer and David Aronoff, Louise Gliga, and five other members of Team Cleveland were chosen to carry the International Children`s Games flag into the stadium and pass it on to the athletes from the Coventry team. "I felt very honored and proud to represent our city as well as the United States," said Jennifer. Last year Cleveland made history as the inaugural United States host city for the International Children`s Games. More than 2000 athletes ages 12 to 15 from 50 nations participated in the Games this year in track and field, soccer, table tennis, tennis and swimming. The goal of the Games is to promote peace and friendship among the world`s youth through sports.