As Olympic athletes from around the globe prepare for the opening ceremonies in Vancouver on Friday, local school kids held their own opening celebration for the Olympics Monday.

As Kelly Schlicht found, the kids at Frederic Elementary School have a special reason to watch the Winter Games.

As these kids at Frederic Elementary pass the Olympic torch, and represent countries they're studying. Their principal says they're also getting a lesson in perseverance from a local hero.

Molly Engstrom will be competing on the women's hockey team.
Molly's mom Judy even made an appearance at Monday's event hoping to inspire other kids to go for the gold like her daughter, "if I had one thing to say to little kids, or anybody, for that matter, it's dream big. It's ok to have dreams because they do come true. You have to work hard to get them but they do come true."

School staff say they hope to connect with Molly while she's in Vancouver.

"It doesn't happen much in a small town. We're hoping to Skype with Molly after she is done competing."

And while they parade their adopted nations with pride, everyone at the school says they can't wait for the games to begin.

You can catch all of her games and the opening ceremonies for the Winter Olympics on WEAU starting Friday night.