SSS High Hosts Annual Special Olympics Spring Games

Masters of Ceremonies and Smithfield-Selma High Unified Pair Jason Spivey and Summer Vaughn address the athletes and coaches before the games begin. 

SMITHFIELD – On Thursday and Friday, April 18-19, 2024, the Johnston County Special Olympics Spring Games were held at Smithfield-Selma High. The Spring Games is an annual event offering track and field competitions for elementary, middle, and high school students. 

Brogan DeBruhr, a Special Olympics North Carolina Global Messenger, and Johnston County resident, pumps up the athletes before the games begin with her words of encouragement and inspiration.

The events included Softball Throw, Tennis Ball Throw, Running Jump, Standing Jump, 10 Meter Assisted Walk, Wheelchair Race, and 25, 100, 50 and 100 Meter Walk and Runs. Each athlete was eligible to compete in one track and one field event.

The weather is beautiful as athletes from JCPS elementary schools, and all around Johnston County, arrive for the annual Johnston County Special Olympics Spring Games held at Smithfield-Selma High.

Games Manager Bethany Jones is an Exceptional Children Specialist at Smithfield-Selma High. Every year she and the other volunteers experience what is called the “magic” of Special Olympics. “Things align without reason.” she said. “Perfect partnerships happen. Everyone works hard, is appreciated and accepted.” 

Elementary school athletes test their speed as they race across the track at Smithfield-Selma High during their event.

Students from Johnston County Public Schools, charter schools, and adult athletes participated in the event. This year, approximately 300 athletes competed, along with nearly 100 individuals from the Young Athletes program. The Young Athletes program is a program designed to support children ages 5-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. 

Officers Carranza, Guseman, and Taylor of the Johnston County Sheriff’s Department pose with JCPS student athletes upon completing the torch run that marked the official beginning of the event. 

Johnston County Special Olympics offers year round sports training and athletic competition to approximately 650 youth and adults with intellectual disabilities in the county. Smithfield-Selma High has hosted the games since 1978 in partnership with the school’s Key Club.

A JCPS athlete competes in the Tennis Ball Throw as student volunteers look on.

Cooper Academy Physical Education teacher David Brown has been supervising the jump pit for the last six years. During that time, he has seen a lot of athletes compete in the standing and running jump events. “Some of the athletes have as much fun landing in the sand pit as they do jumping,” he laughed. “Just watching the athletes competing against and cheering for each other is the best part.”

Johnston County Public Schools middle and high school athletes put their training to the test on day two of this year’s games.

In 2018, Smithfield-Selma High implemented the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program. The program partners schools throughout the state to promote social inclusion through Unified Sports, whole school engagement, and inclusive youth leadership. The resources to support students with and without intellectual disabilities include training, travel opportunities, sports experiences, and so much more. 

A Clayton High athlete spots his landing while flying through the air during the Running Jump competition.

The Spring Games event has grown as youth leaders are trained and mentored through planning and implementation of the event by advisors, Special Olympics staff, and peers. Unified Pairs have been working together to create a smooth, safe, and fun experience for athletes, volunteers, and families.

North Johnston High student Graceson Creech (left) and student athlete Aden Levine pose for a picture after Levine won the gold medal in the 50M race.

The Spring Games are becoming a staple event for the community, athletes, and volunteers. “My favorite part of the Spring Games is the absolute joy seen on the athletes’ faces as they compete, win, and dance,” Bethany Jones exclaimed!

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