CUMMING--Four Pinecrest Academy sixth-grade students traveled to Mexico City
Nov. 16 to represent the school and the United States at the International
Friendship Games.
Coached by Pinecrest physical education teacher Regina Peek, students
Cristina Diodati, Mackenzie Fink, Justin Nevarez and Alex Torrey competed in
Olympic-style track and field events against 710 junior athletes from 64
schools for medal recognition.
The Friendship Games were established in 1980 by Father Marcel Maciel, LC,
founder of the Legionaries of Christ, to establish a tradition of character
development within the parameters of athletic competition, with an emphasis on
sportsmanship and charity, for Legionaries’ students. There are over 100
schools under the direction of the Legionaries of Christ worldwide.
Pinecrest Academy was chosen as this year’s U.S. delegate because the
school will be the official host when the International Friendship Games travel
to Atlanta Oct. 25-29, 1999. They will be held at Wade Walker Park in DeKalb
County and Welcome All Park in Fulton County with competitive sports including
baseball, basketball, soccer, softball, swimming and volleyball, in addition to
track and field events.
The Games will be followed by the International Youth and Family Encounter
at the Georgia World Congress Center Oct. 29-31. The weekend conference will
center around building up the family unit in today’s society. Sponsored by
the Legionaries of Christ and open to all families, expected attendance for the
event is 20,000-30,000 people from around the world.
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