SULLIVAN, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – The Kentucky Derby is this weekend and on Thursday, Sullivan Elementary School celebrated with its annual Derby Day.
First graders have been learning about Kentucky Derby history and doing derby-themed math problems. They also did a craft project, making jockey hats and fascinators. The students heard from special guests on Thursday, including retired jockey and actor Otto Thorwarth who was in the Disney movie Secretariat. Thorwarth spoke to the students and also signed autographed photos for them.
“It’s just carrying on the whole legacy of horse racing. The more we get out and share and tell the details behind the scenes and everything that comes with horse racing, the more interested they’ll become in it. It keeps the game going,” said Thorwarth.
The event also featured Brian Elmore who shared his experiences working in the horse racing industry. Elmore does legislative and corporate affairs for the thoroughbred racing industry in Indiana and was happy to help with Thursday’s event in his hometown of Sullivan.
“The Kentucky Derby, like the Indianapolis 500, is a piece of Americana. There’s nothing else like it. There’s nothing else that duplicates it to that grandeur and all. To be able to celebrate that, that’s why May is my most favorite month. The first Saturday in May we’ve got the Kentucky Derby and then the last weekend in May, we’ve got the Indianapolis 500. I think those are things we need to celebrate,” said Elmore.
Elmore’s daughter is Alison Lane, a first grade teacher at Sullivan Elementary School.
“I grew up at the race track and so just being able to show the win pictures and those kinds of artifacts to the kids, and that this could happen for anyone, is pretty cool,” said Lane.
This was the third year for Derby Day at Sullivan Elementary School.
