CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) – Charlottesville High School turned its stadium into a hands-on learning space Monday, March 30, welcoming every third grader in the city for its second annual Black Knights Sports Day.
The event brought elementary students onto the school’s new turf field, where they rotated through sports stations led by high school athletes.
Instead of a typical day in the classroom, students ran drills, practiced skills, and interacted directly with athletes they often look up to.
“It’s giving me the feeling of what it will feel like doing this same event when I am in high school,” said Ida Wraight, a third grader at Sunrise Elementary School.
Throughout the morning, students participated in activities ranging from soccer and football to catching and coordination drills — all designed to introduce them to sports in a fun, supportive environment.
CHS junior Abe Jaspen said events like this can leave a lasting impact.
“Youth sports are some of the best memories that a person can make as a child,” Jaspen said.
Jaspen, who attended Greenbrier Elementary, Walker Upper Elementary, and Buford Middle School, said he remembers being in their position — watching older students and wondering what it would be like to reach that level.
“Seeing those guys who I think are super cool helped me get to where I am today,” he said.
Now, he and other student-athletes are stepping into leadership roles, guiding the next group of students through the same experiences.
Charlottesville High School Director of Student Activities Andy Jones said the day is about more than just sports.
“These third graders look up to our high school athletes — our high school athletes sometimes do not recognize that,” Jones said. “But when we put them in these roles and they see it, it is just building leadership for them.”
Jones added that the experience helps create a sense of connection early on.
“All of these are going to be Black Knights,” he said.
For many students, the event offered a first look at what their future could hold — not just in athletics, but in belonging to the school community.
“I think the favorite station we have done was the first one where we were just trying to catch it,” Wraight said.
Charlottesville City Schools plans to continue the event as a way to connect younger students with the high school and encourage participation in athletics and school activities as they grow.
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