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Kiwanis to host 44th Annual Junior Olympics Saturday

By PAULETTE LeBLANC / pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com 2 min read
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Kiwanian Mike Shevlin organizes the youngsters in a previous Junior Olympics. PHOTO PROVIDED
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Young competitors are off at the start of the 50-yard dash. PHOTO PROVIDED

Mike Shevlin has been running the Kiwanis Club Junior Olympics event for a long time. This Saturday marks the 44th year of the local competition for kids from kindergarten through the fifth grade.

Beginning at 10 a.m. at the Phillips Park ball field at The Center, island youngsters will do their best to compete in a number of sporting events, such as softball, Frisbee, quarter-mile run, 50-yard dash and the long jump.

“We’ll have hot dogs for the contestants, we’ll have T-shirts and ribbons, silver dollars for the second and third place boy and girl in each class, and there will be a trophy for each boy and girl in first place for each class,” Shevlin said.

Although this is a beloved Pine Island event, Shevlin said all kids are invited to participate.

“It doesn’t have to be just island kids, though that’s primarily who come. Usually there are a few kids from other places. We’re not worried about that at all. There might be friends of some of the kids, or grandkids, or even kids of some of the parents who used to be in the Junior Olympics themselves,” Shevlin said, insisting this event is for anyone who wants to be there.

Forms for the 2025 Kiwanis Junior Olympic Event can be picked up at Pine Island Elementary at 5360 Ridgewood Drive, Bokeelia, just east of The Center.

If anyone would like to sign a child up for the event who does not reside on Pine Island, call Mike Shevlin at 239-851-1727.