Elementary pupils cheer on Olympic athlete mentor as part of Classroom Champions program

POUCE COUPE, B.C. — Elementary students in Pouce Coupe filed into their school’s gymnasium on Tuesday morning, eager to cheer on their mentor as he goes for Olympic gold with Team Canada.

The school is taking part in the Classroom Champions program, and as part of the celebration, Pouce Coupe Elementary organized a cheering party for their mentor, Canadian luge athlete Devin Wardrope, on Tuesday, February 3rd. 

The Classroom Champions program was initiated in 2009 by American bobsledder Steve Mesler and his sister Dr. Leigh Parise, and it pairs athletes with classrooms in order to provide support in social and emotional learning and academic performance.

Waving Olympic flags and blue t-shirts emblazoned with the words ‘mindset of champions’ on the back, the student body was present in the gymnasium, learning about the history of the Olympic Games and different events.

The school’s participation in the program began last year, with Grade 2-3 teacher Bonny Schlauwitz initially applying to have her class participate.

Coincidentally, her students a year ago were mentored by Cole Zajanski. Zajanski will be Wardrope’s partner for doubles luge during this month’s Winter Olympic Games in Italy.

“The Classroom Champions came across principal [Kristy Rose’s] desk,” said Schlauwitz. “When it came across my desk, it was an opportunity.

“It was my classroom last year, and from there, I said, ‘this program is amazing for helping young people grow and become better.’ [I asked], ‘can we do this as a whole school?’ So when [Kristy] presented that to the teachers, they were all on board.”

The program is structured around goal-setting, facing adversity, perseverance and resilience. Some students shared their experiences with Energeticcity.ca.

Just seven years old, Asher said one of the goals he is trying to build on is to become better at helping around the school and being a better friend.

“Goal setting is what we do,” said Asher. “You set a goal and do it.”

Meanwhile, nine-year-old Cache said he’s “learned a lot” from the program and added he thinks luge “is a really fast sport.”

“It has been really good,” said Cache. “We have learned a lot about goal setting, leadership and healthy eating.”

As part of the assembly on Tuesday morning, students participated in an Olympic torch relay, and the school’s leadership students led attendees through a history of the winter games and events.

Students also saw a video where Wardrope showed them a tour of the Olympic Village, where meals, games and accommodations were shown.

Principal Kristy Rose then led students with a cheer for Wardrope, and they then went into the school’s lunchroom for pizza, courtesy of Ovintiv.

Rose said she has seen a lot of change throughout the school’s participation in the program from students.

“We wanted to build connections across all the grades, across all the ages, and build that community in our whole school,” said Rose to Energeticcity.ca. “I am impressed at the language that these kids can use when they talk about things like goal setting or controlling their emotions or persevering through something really tough.

“The videos that Devin creates in relation to those topics is something that they can easily connect with. They have this language, and it’s building their social emotional intelligence.”

Canadian bobsledder Melissa Lotholz visited Baldonnel Elementary School in April last year through the Classroom Champions program as well.

Although events will start earlier in the week, the 2026 Winter Olympic Games officially kick off with the opening ceremony on Friday, February 6th.

For more on Classroom Champions, visit the program’s website.