All Children Winners in Challenge of Champions

The facility hosted Tuesday morning the Challenge of Champions, a program of physical fitness with a great deal of infused self-empowerment. 

The program includes students from the Parsipanny elementary and the high schools providing the kids from both groups an opportunity to play together and take away experiences that will not soon be forgotten.

"We have between 300-500 students, including about 100 high school students," said Noelle Farmer, a special education teacher and coordinator of the event.  "This used to be just a little thing I did with my kids in my backyard.

As it grew, I had this idea of the big kids-little kids and once that hit, the magic happened. And everybody is a hero all day long. We have practices and the kids work really hard. They never quit. As long as you try, you are a hero, a champ. The students were broken into teams lead by the high school students. The events presented a number of different challenges and included an obstacle course, basketball shooting, Frisbee throwing and a number of other activities. 

The student leaders were getting as much from the experience as the little kids. 

"This is a fun day," senior Will Smith said.  "I was walking in the hall and they asked if I could come help.  I am really glad I was there."

"This is amazing," senior Eylas Khawaja said.  "I love helping kids. I am a swim instructor. This is the best thing in the world. I am so happy and so thankful that I could be part of this as a leader."

"Seeing kids smiling, it is probably the greatest feeling ever," Parsippany High School senior Bertan Yavuz said.  "Knowing that you are a part of something like this, it is amazing."

Fifth-grader Ailee, 11, said "When I am in Challenge of Champions I feel like I can do anything. My teacher, Ms. Farmer, she always says 'Never say I can't' because you can. There is always a path that you can be a champion."

Ailee's classmate, Meaghan, soon to be 11, said "You have to use perseverance. Your road to success is down the path of champions. Ms. Farmer tells us 'Never say never. Try, try, try.'  You need to use perseverance to be a champion."