Special Olympics 2019

May 31st, 2019

HORSHAM, PA

Hatboro-Horsham High School hosted their 4th annual Special Olympics on May 29th for the region of  lower Montgomery county area. Over 13 schools participate in the day with over 200 athletes, 50 HHHS teacher volunteers, and 430 HHHS student volunteers. 

Hatboro-Horsham High School students get to volunteer for the day by running the event stations, concession stand, working in the fun zone or being an athletes buddy. The job of a buddy is to be a friendly face and to help the athlete throughout the day.

Keith Valley Middle School even joins in on the festivities at their school. In the morning the KV students that participate in the Special Olympics get a big send off with the whole school in the gym cheering them on with posters and their support. A group of  8th grade KV students involved in the fitness friends class get to head down to the track  to watch and cheer on their KV athletes.

The mission of Special Olympics is “to  provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.” In the Special Olympics, the power and joy of sports, shifts the focus to what the athletes can do rather than what they can’t do. 

Several events are held throughout the day which include: running races, softball and tennis ball throw, wheelchair races, wheelchair slalom, long jump, and hit and release.

After all the data is recorded from the day the Special Olympics will pull the highest scores of those students to advance on.