On April 22, 2024 Carolina Forest High School attended the Special Olympics held at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium at Myrtle Beach High School. Schools from all over Horry County attended to help out and also participate in the events. Carolina Forest had 18 students attend to play in events and 14 students go to help out and be buddies.
The 18 students who played in events were McKayla Davis, Jessica Ferdetta, Willow Ferri, Wyatt Gliss, Xavier Harris, Rodney Hunt, Jacob Ledger, Emmy Levisky, Caitly Lora, Nick Maggio, Savannah Mariotti, Gia Ruisi, Madison Sander, Jack Senig, Shan’Bria Shorter, and Zack Wemeth.
The 14 students who went and helped out as buddies were Audrey Austin, Lawson Barnes, Julianna Critelli, Addison Fegley, Aliyeah Granberg, Ethan Hamilton, Destiny Johnson, Fin Mahood, Ella Monday, Erin Nerberger, Isabella Stachowiak, Samantha Stoli, Emily Waters, and Morgan Williams.
The Special Olympics is the world’s largest organization for adults and kids that have any type of disability. It helps bring the community together and support the athletes. The Special Olympics started August 2, 1968 in Washington, D.C and is still going to this day.
The mission of the Special Olympics is to provide a year-round training and athletic competition in many different types of sports for adults and children with disabilities. It brings the community together to support the athletes and can help develop sportsmanship, sports skills, make memories, and more.
Randi Aubrey, one of our teachers and organizer for Special Olympics states, “Special Olympics is important because it gives the kids the opportunity to compete in athletic events like anyone else that doesn’t have a disability. Every year it gets better and it is great to see how the buddies bond with the general ed students.”
Families or friends can help support by volunteering and helping expand the young athletes.
Xavier Harris, a student that participated in the Special Olympics, states, “Racing in the relay was my favorite.”
The Special Olympics Organization includes everyone and the players get to show off their skills and what they can do, and not what they can’t do. It has activities for at least 5 million participants and has partners in 172 different countries. It is a special event that is important to millions of people and families around the world.
I attended the Special Olympics to help out as a buddy, and I think it was a great opportunity and experience to go. I was able to help make their day and see them make a personal achievement competing in their events. I think everyone should be a volunteer or help out with a special organization at least once in their life to see how much of an impact it can make.
Image: Google.com
