CÓRDOBA, España.
Once again, the annual Sporting Event of the Teresian Association (EDIT) gathered almost five hundred high school students to foster sharing, collaboration, and friendship among the students and teachers of 19 centers that are managed by the Teresian Association in Spain
In its twenty-third celebration, Córdoba has been the city to welcome the event, always very much appreciated by families and educators. Bética-Mudarra School was the host.
During the time of preparation for the encounter, many of the objectives are already fulfilled since the event requires much effort to organize, collaborate, and coordinate teachers, families and students. Besides the enthusiasm and self-giving of many people, we have had the support of the City Hall, the “Diputación” of Córdoba, Tourism, and various publishing houses, Universities, and businesses.
Besides the sports that took place in Bética-Mudarra School and el Fontanar, a day was devoted to a cultural experience in Córdoba. The participants visited the Mezquita-Cathedral, the Alcazar, and the Judería quarters. They also attended an equestrian performance in the Caballerizas Reales.
The opening and closing functions took place in the Pabellón Municipal of Vistalegre. These were very colorful in an atmosphere of welcoming and enthusiasm. Local authorities, such as Miguel Reina, President of the “Instituto Municipal de Deportes,” attended the Opening Ceremony. Through videos, high caliber athletes, such as Pepe Reina and Felipe Reyes, from Córdoba also welcomed the participants. And, of course, our mascot Arko was also there to entertain us.
Among the speakers, Consuelo Gimeno, member of the governing council of the Teresian Association, gave thanks for the opportunity to be part of the beginning of the games and encouraged the participants to enjoy the values and richness of the experience. The School Principal, Paqui Feria, expressed with gratitude and feeling that “the theme of the School of Córdoba this academic year of 2011-12 and the theme of EDIT invite us to unite in the dreams and to enjoy the encounters of each day and of the marvelous event (…) Without you this would not have been possible…At this moment I have to recognize that you, students of the Centers of the Teresian Association, are the ones that urge us, that place hopes in our hearts, that give us wings to search ideas to organize ourselves as best as possible. For you, we fight; for you, we think, live, and dream.” She also said “the dreams we share bring us to this ENCOUNTER which is EDIT 2012. Let us live this opportunity to the full by:
Exchanging and networking among the students and teachers form different schools,
Working through the positive aspects of sports, fostering non-competitive values of collaboration and friendliness,
Making new friends and feeling part of this family that is the Teresian Association.
Let us live and enjoy this dream that becomes a reality.”
After the speeches, students of the school offered a gymnastics show with the participation of gymnastics champions of Córdoba. We also paid tribute to a dear person from Córdoba, Victoria Díez, who is a clear model and a kind person that exemplifies the charism of the Teresian Association.
Early on Sunday the Eucharist was celebrated in the Christ the King parish. It began with a beautiful introduction that presented a dimension of Jesus as an “athlete of love” who recruited the twelve Apostles to create the best team. The thanksgiving of this special Eucharist was about the theme of EDIT 2012: ”Together we dream, live the dream.” Each educational center picked up a symbol to bring back home, representing solidarity, justice, work for all, and happiness having Jesus as the model.
Two wishes were expressed regarding these encounters: That they may be repeated for many years, that this may not be forgotten, and that it may help our youth to grow as people in love and friendship.”
After the Eucharist, outside the Church, balloons were released with messages inside from each Center. All this took place while the Church bells were ringing, giving the occasion an impressive feeling and sound.
Finally, the grounds of Vistalegre were the center of the joy and strength for our athletes, who came to live these intense four days with self-giving, solidarity, conviviality, and sportsmanship. Also, a large group of parents attended to share in the spirit of EDIT.
The Córdoba of the Three Cultures, a symbol of tolerance, dialogue, respect, and diversity, was the theme chosen to center the Closing Ceremonies.
The fifth and sixth grade students danced “sevillanas del adios” to say good-bye to EDIT 2012. The performance of the Jump Club of Montilla ended the event.
After the performances came the time to give thanks: Paqui Villarejo, Directres of the “ Secretariado de Centros” of the Teresian Association showed appreciation for the “good coordination, the team work and the shared organization.” She highlighted “the hopes of everyone for each day of the encounter.” Rosa Garay, Directress of ESO and high school pointed out the “generosity, gratitude, and joy of all the participants.” She said that in those days one could “live the experience as if it were one school of the Teresian Association, with the same ideology, with the same values within the diversity of cultures and accents of each participating Center.”
The last speaker was the mayor of Córdoba, José Antonio Nieto, who addressed the participating Centers to remind them that Córdoba is a city that is open and that needs doors like Bética-Mudarra that brings a diversity of cultures.
The parade of the participants from the different educational Centers gave the finishing touch, which was a very emotional moment. The event ended with the passing of the torch to the next schools to organize a new EDIT: the schools of Alicante: Our Lady of the Angels and Saint Teresa.
Again the objectives of these encounters, which are already a tradition in the Schools of the Teresian Association in Spain, were well fulfilled. Córdoba is grateful for EDIT 2012 and EDIT leaves Córdoba filled with its art, beauty, culture, friendliness, and warmth.
Organizing Committee, EDIT 2012