Released by Lindale ISD spokeswoman Maya Bethany
LINDALE/SMITH COUNTY (KYTX) - "What did you do on your summer vacation?" It is a common question heard around school districts as teachers and students begin a new school year.
Lindale ISD fourth grade teacher Melissa McWhorter may have one of the best summer vacation stories in the district. The teacher, her husband and their twin sons, both Lindale ISD students, embarked on a learning experience of their own when they visited London to take in the Games of the XXX Olympiad. The trip was planned after McWhorter's sons expressed a strong desire to attend the games.
"The boys had been talking about the Olympics and asked if we could go," McWhorter explained. "We knew if going to the Olympics was something we wanted to do, now would be the perfect time. Our boys love sports and were at the perfect age for the trip."
The McWhorter's were in London from July 23-August 1. Thanks to a family friend who lives in London, they were able to secure tickets to several events. Cycling was the first event on the list.
On July 29, the McWhorter's witnessed history. They cheered on Dana Vollmer as she won the gold medal and set a world record in the 100m butterfly. The family watched the raising of the U.S. flag in the ceremony that followed Vollmer's win.
They also attended three women's basketball games and saw the U.S. defeat Angola. During the television broadcast of the game, a family friend in Lindale spotted McWhorter's son Robert on television and sent the image from the TV screen through a text message to the family. Another highlight of the trip came after boarding a train to Manchester on July 31 and watching the U.S. women's soccer team play North Korea.
"The whole Olympic experience and being a part of history was incredible, but the best was watching the American flag being raised for the award ceremony," McWhorter said.
"For me, walking around Olympic park and meeting people from all over the world and exchanging stories was wonderful. We were all a part of one big family, the Olympic family."
A few chance encounters also allowed the McWhorter's to meet with some of the U.S. Olympians. While walking through London, the family met 400m sprinter Manteo Mitchell, the U.S. women's volleyball team. They also met with former Olympic track star Carl Lewis during a special meet and greet event. A major surprise also came when McWhorter's sons, Robert and Jonathan, met the Prime Minister of France during a train ride from Paris to London.
McWhorter's students should be prepared for some Olympic-themed classroom assignments this year. The teacher plans to incorporate much of her experience into not only math lessons but life lessons. Physical: 505 Pierce Street, Lindale, Texas 75771 Page 2 of 2 Mailing: P.O. Box 370, Lindale, Texas 75771
"I saved an interview with Michael Phelps that said if he had let the first day take over how he was going to perform, he would not have broken a record," McWhorter explained. "But he decided that he was going to overcome his loss and show what he was made of. At first we may not be successful but we cannot give up. I also plan on using the Olympics when we teach decimals because of how they keep score. Decimals do matter. I will use times that the athletes' finished with and round the decimals to see if outcomes would be the same. I am hoping to utilize the Olympics as extension activities to all math lessons."
McWhorter said the impact of the trip on her family's lives was profound.
"When we started planning I did not realize how incredible this trip would be," she said. "My boys commented that this will be a life experience that will be very hard to beat."
