Cheers and excitement fill the gym as the HP Special Olympics team practices for their upcoming Special Olympics Track and Field tournaments. The athletes compete in multiple events against other schools and athletes.
“The people who organize the Special Olympics do a good job giving athletes the feeling that they’re just like the other sports teams and that they get to compete and to go against other schools just like all the kids that are in regular track or football,” said school transition specialist Tyson Peterson.
Highland Park High School has been attending the Special Olympics Track and Field tournaments for three years, but the event has been held for over 55 years across the U.S. In Dallas, the organization hosts over 230 students a year.
“Miss Reynolds, one of the organizers for the Special Olympics, had worked at schools previously that attend the Special Olympics, so when she moved here, she encouraged our school to sign up, so we did,” Peterson said.
The Special Olympics Track and Field team has two tournaments a year and prepares for weeks in advance.
“We are attending the Carrollton Farmers Branch tournament on March 27th, and this is our 3rd year attending their tournament. After that, we are attending the Sunnyvale ISD tournament the following week on April 1st,” said Adaptive Physical Education District teacher Hannah Pallasch.
Students who compete in the Track and Field event range from age 8 to the 18+ program, with each group competing in different events suited for their age and ability.
“It’s not just the high school that participates. It’s an all-inclusive activity, and we have a little over 30 kids that compete in the tournament,” Peterson said.
All athletes who participate in the Special Olympics tournament are also enrolled in the district’s Physical Education Partners program, a class where students in the special education program are paired with their peers. Once track and field season begins, peer tutors practice with the athletes after school once a week.
“We practice track at the middle school once a week,” said senior Clara Erwin.
The track and field tournament provides many different opportunities for athletes with different abilities. There are wheelchair pushing events and 400, 200, 150 and 100 meter races where athletes are allowed to bring any mechanical device needed. Athletes also have the chance to compete in field events, including tennis ball throws and long jump, with each athlete allowed one track and one field event.
“All of the track or field events are kind of an adapted way of mirroring the events that you find at any UIL or typical track and field event,” Pallasch said.
The structure of the meets gives student athletes a chance to experience something many of them have never had access to before.
“The event gives them an outlet to kind of be a high school athlete and instead of being on the sideline to get them involved,” Pallasch said.
Students can volunteer to help at the Special Olympics events, assisting at practices and meets while helping teach athletes the different track and field events.
“A lot of NCL groups do it to get service hours, and you can also join the Special Olympics club or become a peer tutor. Once you start coming to practice, you’ll kind of be asked to go to the meets or go to, like, we do basketball tournaments,” Erwin said.
Volunteering gives students the chance to build new bonds with the athletes and grow as individuals.
“I’ve gained so much from volunteering at the event, and I absolutely love it. It’s my favorite thing to do, and it brings me so much joy,” Erwin said.
The tournament gives athletes the ability to experience competing and earning a medal. Athletes line up at the podium after their events, medals are handed out, and the crowd of peer tutors, coaches, and volunteers cheers them on, just like at any other track and field meet.
“Last year, watching everyone at the track and field meet get their medals was so fun. Everyone was just so happy, and it brought me so much joy watching everyone compete and get their medals, and I’m super excited for another great season,” Erwin said.
