Edith Leslie
Contributing Writer
Olympics. Photo by Ashli Wagner
Special Olympics took place on April 28, consisting of track and field events. The event began with an opening ceremony with a torch run and the national anthem.
This was followed by events that were run by the student council members.
The Hixson volunteers ran the victory village, where the athletes could collect their prizes. They also greeted the athletes, and the Hixson band performed.
Buddies for the event who volunteered from the high school and middle school were there to help the event run smoothly and to create a fun environment for those competing. High school students who became buddies for the event earned A+ hours for their help.
“Volunteers help make the day special for the athletes. They help ensure that the events run smoothly, and they get the opportunity to work one-on-one with the athletes,” assistant activities director Corey Toenjes said.
Toenjes predicted that about 230 students from 18 different schools would participate in the Special Olympics. The participants received a T-shirt and lunch provided by Webster.
With the number of people that were predicted to attend, “Over 700 hot dogs will be cooked,” Toenjes said.
“I think students look most forward to being part of something bigger than just a track and field day! Students get a chance to connect with someone new, cheer each other along, and just have a great time! Any Special Olympics athletic event is always the best atmosphere because it is all about just trying your best, being brave, and having fun; the athletes exude that to the fullest, and it truly is just a day full of smiles for everyone involved,” said coach Evyn Spencer.
The main point of the event was not for students to win their events, but to be able to have fun with others and enjoy their day.
“Seeing students come together to make this event special for all involved. It’s not about who wins or loses; it’s about creating a memorable and positive experience,” Toenjes said.
This idea of having a positive environment for the students competing and those helping run the events was important.
“A fun environment is important for any sporting event, as it can help motivate the athletes and quell any nerves they have in competing! For our special Olympic athletes, there is also the added layer of making the day less scary: they are in a new environment, and the stress of performing and being somewhere new can be really intimidating and felt differently then it would for a typical student athlete,” Spencer said.
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