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NORTHBOROUGH – The sign remained on the Algonquin Regional hallway wall after the gym emptied.
"Our Champion Korey Dropkin!"
Students and teachers paused the normal school day Tuesday to watch its Class of 2013 alumn Dropkin and his partner Cory Thiesse compete for the gold medal against Sweden in Italy.
"To have that type of alumni is an honor, and we'd love to represent them as much as they represent the United States," said Algonquin junior Victor De Oliveira.
Health and fitness teacher Melissa Arvanigian taught Dropkin when he was a high school student. He learned the sport at Broomstones Curling Club in Wayland. She and other members of the staff that knew him started the push for an in school event as he and Thiesse kept winning through the semifinals Monday.
"This is a big deal for our community. It was all hands on deck to get things rolling and put everyone in all different spots so kids could view it comfortably," Arvanigian said. "It's been amazing the support we've seen all around the world. It's been absolutely insane. We've been so proud and, we all deep down knew he was special."
Algonquin set up large televisions in its gymnasium, the library and black box theater. Students shuffled in and out depending on their lunch period or the bell schedule carrying signs like "Sweeping the competition with Korey Dropkin," and "Gonk (Hearts) Korey."
Physical education teacher Kristen Marcone kept the crowd's spirits up during a tense, defensive match. She started watching over the weekend when she heard he was a fellow Algonquin alumn.
"Now I'm hooked," Marcone said.
From the archives: Korey Dropkin ready for the Worlds
Late in the match, Dropkin wiped sweat from his brow and breathed heavily after an aggressive sweep down the ice.
"It's way harder than shuffleboard," Aarush Shah said to Marcone.
"WAY harder than shuffleboard," she responded.
After Sweden's sibling team of Isabella and Rasmus Wrana finished the decisive end to claim gold, Algonquin's collective community experienced a gut punch.
"It has unified our school. We're a big close-knit community as it is, but the unification that the sport and Korey and his family have done has been amazing for us," Arvanigian said. "To embrace him and his family but also learn something new as a whole entire school. Curling for us is not a mainstream sport, but it's exciting to see the excitement in the kids to see the sport come to life."
5 things to know about curling: How much does a curling stone weigh? What's a power play?
"We're just so proud of Korey and proud of who he is," she added. "We're just psyched he was where he was and that he was able to medal. The silver is amazing to be where he's at today."
A silver lining where he's at from the place he'll always be from.
Contact Kyle Grabowski at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @kylegrbwsk
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Algonquin cheers Korey Dropkin's run to Olympics curling silver medal
Continue reading...
"Our Champion Korey Dropkin!"
Students and teachers paused the normal school day Tuesday to watch its Class of 2013 alumn Dropkin and his partner Cory Thiesse compete for the gold medal against Sweden in Italy.
"To have that type of alumni is an honor, and we'd love to represent them as much as they represent the United States," said Algonquin junior Victor De Oliveira.
Health and fitness teacher Melissa Arvanigian taught Dropkin when he was a high school student. He learned the sport at Broomstones Curling Club in Wayland. She and other members of the staff that knew him started the push for an in school event as he and Thiesse kept winning through the semifinals Monday.
"This is a big deal for our community. It was all hands on deck to get things rolling and put everyone in all different spots so kids could view it comfortably," Arvanigian said. "It's been amazing the support we've seen all around the world. It's been absolutely insane. We've been so proud and, we all deep down knew he was special."
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Algonquin set up large televisions in its gymnasium, the library and black box theater. Students shuffled in and out depending on their lunch period or the bell schedule carrying signs like "Sweeping the competition with Korey Dropkin," and "Gonk (Hearts) Korey."
Physical education teacher Kristen Marcone kept the crowd's spirits up during a tense, defensive match. She started watching over the weekend when she heard he was a fellow Algonquin alumn.
"Now I'm hooked," Marcone said.
From the archives: Korey Dropkin ready for the Worlds
Late in the match, Dropkin wiped sweat from his brow and breathed heavily after an aggressive sweep down the ice.
"It's way harder than shuffleboard," Aarush Shah said to Marcone.
"WAY harder than shuffleboard," she responded.
After Sweden's sibling team of Isabella and Rasmus Wrana finished the decisive end to claim gold, Algonquin's collective community experienced a gut punch.
"It has unified our school. We're a big close-knit community as it is, but the unification that the sport and Korey and his family have done has been amazing for us," Arvanigian said. "To embrace him and his family but also learn something new as a whole entire school. Curling for us is not a mainstream sport, but it's exciting to see the excitement in the kids to see the sport come to life."
5 things to know about curling: How much does a curling stone weigh? What's a power play?
"We're just so proud of Korey and proud of who he is," she added. "We're just psyched he was where he was and that he was able to medal. The silver is amazing to be where he's at today."
A silver lining where he's at from the place he'll always be from.
Contact Kyle Grabowski at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @kylegrbwsk
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Algonquin cheers Korey Dropkin's run to Olympics curling silver medal
Continue reading...
