Student-athletes shine during Hesperia school district’s Inaugural Special Olympic Games
Carrying a plastic torch, student-athlete Abigail Barber ran through the crowd as she prepared to kick off the Inaugural Hesperia Unified School District Special Olympic School Games.
Escorted by a Hesperia school police officer, Abby was cheered on by students, teachers, parents and school administrators during Friday’s event at Oak Hills High School stadium.
“Of all the events I’ve ever attended, this is the one where I’m literally smiling the entire time,” Superintendent Dave Olney said. “It is so heart-warming. And when you take a look at the parents, our staff and the other students cheering on those that are competing and the smiles on their faces — there is nothing better than this.”
Eric Land, director of special services for the school district, told the Daily Press that 531 students from 23 schools participated in the sporting event.
“We’re very excited about today’s games, it’s something that we’ve been looking forward to for quite some time,” Land said. “It’s a great opportunity for our kids, our district and our community. It also brings a lot of positivity.”
Before the torch run, Oak Hills High School band members and cheerleaders led the procession of students, athletes, teachers and parents into the stadium.
“Go Topaz Tigers,” yelled parents from the stands as the student-athletes waved to the crowd before they competed in a variety of sprints, some in wheelchairs, the long jump, and tennis/softball ball and bean bag throws.
An army of volunteers, including Oak Hills students, assisted with competitions, timed races, kept records and handed out water. The Oak Hills High School “WAG” Club also sponsored the snack bar. Other volunteers helped with games and crafts at the campus “Village.”
Land explained that the district hosted Special Olympics games in 2018 and 2019 until the organization “went a different direction” with schools.
“If we wanted to continue the games, we had to do it ourselves,” Land said. “So we decided, post-pandemic, that it was time to bring it back.”
Several parents and grandparents shared their thoughts about the special needs games and the school district.
“It’s a beautiful thing when our school district spends time and resources to put on an event like this for our children,” said grandparent Jeanne Clark as she held back tears. “To me, it shows what’s important to them.”
Clark added that she hopes the Hesperia school district continues with the Special Olympic Games and that other school districts will “catch on" and also host games.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Students shine during Inaugural Special Olympic School Games in Hesperia
