The Special Olympics have always championed the title of an all-inclusive event, which has given the individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities a place amongst the athletic elite since Eunice Kennedy Shriver first brought the concept into being in 1968. Cooper City High hosted this year’s Special Olympics which took place on December 6, 2017, celebrating the abilities of special ed elementary, middle, and high school students.
“It gives a group of individuals an opportunity to demonstrate all that they can accomplish,” Principal Wendy Doll said. “It showcases abilities rather than disabilities and allows students to develop self- confidence.”
On the football field, there stood rows of white tents with teachers and their students as they represented their schools. The opening ceremony began with the presentation of colors by CCHS’s NJROTC, followed by the national anthem, sung by Kaitlyn Gallilo. Prior to the games, senior Michael Gelman led the participants and onlookers in the Pledge of Allegiance. The announcer closed the ceremony with the “Athlete’s Oath,” reciting the saying “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
This was Cooper City High School’s third time hosting, with Anita Gilland, a member of the special education department, spearheading the project. The Special Olympics is not hosted strictly at Cooper, but also at a handful of other schools that seek to promote the concept of social inclusion and diversity of character.
“[The Special Olympics] are an avenue for the inclusion of all students in activities,” CCHS teacher Nicole Garcia said. “Not only are there special ed kids present, but look at the gen ed kids who came in support, whether they be from Best Buddies or otherwise.”
The activities consisted of several different running events and involved students galloping across the track in order to reach the finish line. There were partner related events, some of which included four person relay races, as well as single person events over a variety of distances for each age bracket.
Numerous members of Best Buddies helped at the Special Olympics, providing companionship and aid to several of the students who were actively participating in the festivities. Best Buddies President Shaddi Abdala was one of those in attendance, and like many of the others who had been present at the event,she believes that the Special Olympics are a tool for building a more united community.
“[The special ed students affiliated with Best Buddies] may appear to be different from everyone else,” Abdala said. “But they really are just like us and are members of the community too.”
Photo by Sarah Khan
