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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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!
“Excellent!”