Students from Hazelwood West and East High schools brought smiles to the faces of competitors when the two schools hosted Special Olympics track and field events recently. One hundred sixty athletes from 10 different schools, including Hazelwood East High, Riverview, Pattonville, and Marquette high schools, plus several Vocational Skills Programs (VSPs) participated. VSPs are job training programs for Special School District (SSD) students age 18 to 22 years. Among the VSPs represented were VSP Missouri Veteran Home, VSP Garden Villas North and VSP Lambert Airport. All athletes received a ribbon for their efforts.

West High School held opening ceremonies and a lighting of the Olympic torch before rain forced the activities into the high school gymnasium. Events included the long jump, relay races and the javelin throw. The gymnasium also housed Victory Village, where participants could listen to a DJ play music, dance, eat and drink, and play games. On the following Friday, Hazelwood East High also hosted the activities indoors.

“This is a great event and we’re proud to be the host again this year,” said Dennis Newell, West High School principal. “Our students – as competitors or volunteers — love being a part of the Special Olympics.”

“Our students look forward to meeting the athletes and helping with such a great organization,” said Dr. Darrell Strong, interim principal at East High School.

To assist the athletes and help with the event, more than 400 students and staff volunteered. Heather Berry, a Special School District teacher at West High, says the Special Olympics benefits both competitors and volunteers. “The athletes earn a sense of pride and confidence by participating,” Berry said. “The volunteers build bonds and it helps open their hearts and mind to a new experience. Many of the students say it’s one of their favorite days of the school year.”

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