Through the finish line, and onward to another year, The Special Olympics participants triumphantly displayed their skills while competing against one another.
The annual Chad Powell Track Meet took place at Fossil Ridge High School on March 8. The meet gathered hundreds of competitors from schools and community homes for all ages within the metroplex.
For numerous years, preparations for the track meet begin soon before it becomes known. Among the team coordinating the day’s events, is special education teacher, Jared Swart.
“To do my part, rally volunteers, it takes about a month and a half. I just try to promote and then train the volunteers. The actual logistics behind the meet belong to Coach Boaz and Coach Newcombe, [who] are the lifelines of the Chad Powell Memorial Track Meet,” said Swart.
Moreover, Swart construes the moral impressions he trusts the event has on all volunteers, such as himself, buddies and advisers. Falcons, alongside other students, parents and community members, volunteered as buddies to the participating athletes. Volunteers offered a helping hand to each sport their respective special athlete competed in, ranging from track to basketball to throwing events.
“I definitely believe that [the buddies] will be more appreciative of what they have and might give them some reflection into their own struggles,” said Swart. “These athletes persevere through so many obstacles and just beam with excitement during the track meet.”
After each event the Special Athletes compete in, they are awarded with a ribbon showcasing what they ranked in their heat. However, Swart describes the prize to be more symbolic than what the numbers display.
“Those ribbons might as well be gold medals. It doesn’t matter what place they get, the ribbons are a tactile representation of their success. They remind them of the cheers, their buddies and everyone that was around to see them compete,” said Swart.
All students, teachers and community members are encouraged to volunteer and assist in making track meet everything it is meant to be. Throughout the experience, Swart further expressed the deep impact the occasion has had on his life.
“I became a special education teacher because of my love of the Special Olympics. I’ve never been to any event where I saw more smiles, high-fives, hugs and cheering going on,” said Swart. “It’s one of the best days of the year. The Special Olympics changed my life.”
