It could have rained. It could have been too windy. It should have been at least 20 degrees hotter. But instead, Monday May 22, 2023, was a glorious day, perfect for the Lytle Pirate Track and Field Day at Walter H. Joyce Jr. Stadium. 

Students with disabilities from surrounding schools (Somerset, Devine, and Natalia) arrived by 10 am in time to participate in the Grand Parade, the opening ceremony, and then eagerly began their races. Support and cheers for everyone rang from the stands and the sidelines. Pirate cheerleaders were at the finish line encouraging all the runners in the races. The team camps for each school were buzzing with happy voices celebrating medals and ribbons. There were fun activities for everyone, from adaptive bikes to bubbles, soccer to baseball and bowling. No one went away hungry, thanks to delicious lunches for everyone and a very busy concession stand run by the Junior Class. 

A new event began the races this year - the Staff 4X100 meter relay. Each school put up a team, but they didn't stand a chance against the Pirates. Ms. Ponce led off at a brisk pace, but when she handed off to Coach Scotello, the other schools were smoked. We checked and found scorch marks on the track! Once he handed it off to Coach Vela, it was obvious that it was a Pirate runaway race, and the anchor, Coach Benavides (who has a few, Lytle records from his track days), sealed the deal easily. All the teams finished, and everyone had the Pirate Pride to give them extra running mojo, thanks to the teachers and coaches. 

Heartfelt thanks to the Lytle ISD Maintenance staff for setting up and dismantling tents and the run-through and the custodial staff for being there to make sure the field was left clean and ready for the rest of the week. Thank you to all the teachers and staff from all the campuses who brought their classes out to support our runners, and the Believe It Foundation and Kinetic Kids organizations for participating. Thank you, Coach Trevino, and the football team, for helping schools get to their camps, along with the ROTC and National Honor Society. Thank you, Lytle Pirate Band Drumline, for setting the beat for the Parade, and Lytle VFW Post for the inspiring and patriotic raising of the American flag. Thank you to Michelle Smith, Superintendent, for starting things off with those enthusiastic opening remarks. Shout out to the Elementary cafeteria for snack bags and lunches for our runners. Kudos to Skull Studio for the awesome camp signs and the banners. And a big ol' heart-shaped thank you to Jay Tope (who will always be a Pirate, no matter what), for making each runner feel special and for keeping the day fun and exciting with announcements, music, and even an on-the-spot pitch-perfect rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner - and a cappella! 

Another wonderful and successful event, Pirates celebrating all students across our communities - it just doesn't get much better. 

It’s a Great Day to be a Pirate!!!