The Field Day tradition goes on

The Carbon County School District No 2 (CCSD 2) northern elementary schools attempted to have their annual field day on May 12.

The field day was a little different this year.

The first difference was Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow and Hanna Elementary Schools came together at the Hanna campus instead of each school having their own field day. The schools have merged sometimes but this was the first year of all the students participating together.

Mother Nature was not very cooperative for all the kids coming together.

P.E. teacher for all three elementary schools, Zach Scott saw the weather report with sustained winds at 30 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph.

It was not a day conducive for kids to be outside competing in different activities that could include using a parachute to run under or running races.

Scott made the decision to have an athletic day at the Hanna Recreation Center where the kids could not only do activities inside the gym area, but could also have aquatic fun in the pool. He realized the structure of the field day would be compromised, but the day was about exercise, competition and fun.

"This year we had to modify our field day because the weather just isn't cooperating," Scott said. "If you are cold, it isn't fun, especially if you are kid. I didn't want to take the chance of anyone getting sick because they were outside. They are having fun and enjoying playing games even if it is not a regular field day. The major goal of fun and exercise is still being attained."

For those who know about the traditional field day done for years, people might be surprised to learn Scott is running the fun day for the students. In the past it has been overseen by P.E. teacher Dario Soto, known to almost all as Mr. Soto.

The field day was called Mr. Soto's Field Day and it was one of the highlights of the octogenarian educator's school year.

However, earlier this year, "Mr. Soto" first decided to retire from being the head basketball coach for the Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) junior high team.

The coach is so revered in the north of Carbon County, if not the whole state, the HEM gym is named after him.

The outpouring of people remembering his years as a coach surprised this quiet man. He wanted to be remembered as a man who cared about the kids. He was honored by rom the Governor, and senior elected officials. Former students who were now adults commented on his remarkable years as a coach.

Mr. Soto was honored by all the attention, but didn't really want all the fuss.

When he decided it was time for him to retire from teaching a couple months ago, Mr. Soto went out of his way to keep his resignation quiet.

He wanted no parties or recognition.

One day Mr. Soto was teaching and the next day he was not.

It was the way he wanted leave.

Mr. Soto taught kindergarten to seniors in high school in northern Carbon County from 1967 to present. He had winning teams in basketball and football at Bow Basin High School. Mr. Soto retired in 1993 from teaching but after two years, he found himself coming back to help the Medicine Bow Elementary School as a substitute.  During this time, he was still coaching. Then Elk Mountain and Medicine Bow elementary schools needed a P.E. teacher and CCSD 2 asked him to take the position. Since then, he taught in those schools until he retired two months ago.

Scott took over teaching P.E. to all three elementary schools.

"We do miss Mr. Soto doing this, but to honor his memory, it is still going to be fun, and be the end of the year wrap," Scott said. "We will keep the cool part Mr. Soto always had going on this day."

Scott knows Mr. Soto well as he was on a basketball team the coach took to the state championship game some years back.

It seems fitting, a past student of Mr. Soto, who loves coaching and teaching P.E., should continue this annual field day tradition which was so special, to this remarkable educator, coach and human being.

Scott said it well.

Mr. Soto will be missed.