Saturday, March 25, 2023, was an exciting day for fourth and fifth grade students across the district as they competed in our annual Dale Lostetter Carnival of Champions. Held from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Warren High School’s Justice Stadium and inside the gymnasium, this year’s event marked the 57th year that this track and field exhibition has been held in Downey Unified.
Taking first place and bringing home the Carnival of Champions trophy was our Lewis Elementary School All-Stars, finishing with 136 points. Following in second place with 120 points was Old River Elementary Gators and taking third place was Alameda Elementary with 104 points.
A new district record was also set during Saturday’s annual event. Beating the record that has been held since 1994, Alameda Elementary’s Zoey Finnell jumped 7’2” during the fourth-grade girls standing long jump, breaking the previous record of 6’10.5”. Finnell’s jump was half an inch away from breaking the fourth-grade boys’ record.
“I am proud to say that Downey Unified embodies and abides by CHARACTER COUNTS! daily and it was evident during this year’s Dale Lostetter Carnival of Champions,” expressed Board of Education President, Giovanna Perez-Saab. “Students congratulated one another by giving high fives and handshakes, whether they were on the winning team or a competing team. Each upheld a strong sense of character and sportsmanlike conduct throughout the day’s competitions.”
The Dale Lostetter Carnival of Champions is an annual event that brings together approximately 500 students from 10 of the 13 elementary schools in Downey Unified to compete in the following seven track and field events: baskets in a minute, softball throw for distance, standing long jump, 50-meter dash, 100-meter dash, four-member team 400-meter relay and mixed-coed relay.