By Max Nickel
Participants of this year’s Special Olympics at MPHS.
On March 28th, the annual Monroe County Special Olympics Track & Field Event commenced at the Mary Persons High School track from the hours of 9 AM to 1 PM. The warm spring air and assembly of family, friends and volunteers enveloped the day’s competitors and onlookers in an atmosphere of friendly competition and community celebration.
Talented local athletes from KB Sutton Elementary School, TG Scott Elementary School, Hubbard Elementary School, Monroe County Middle School, the Achievement Center, Rob’s Place, and the hosting Mary Persons High School walked out of their buses (and MP campus) to an embrace of support and enthusiasm from their community.
Among the events held were races, running jumps, and softball and tennis ball throws. The lively and eventful day presented, beside good-natured competition and physical activity, an excellent opportunity for these special competitors to make memories and connect with their peers and community.
Leadership Monroe 2025 selected the event as their community project, volunteering and providing support as well as raising $4,400 to contribute to the program.
Mary Person’s very own Samuel Tiller, Mason Paul, Joshua Lee, Jacorian Mays, Ba-Rum Cha, Alex Calloway, Kolisa Proctor, Mya McKee, Angle Lowe, Jon Brown, Jack Gavin, Cole Skinner, Connor Richards, Killian Wright, Winn Minter, Sarah Starr, Tyler Walker, Sierra McKinley, Nick Dawley, Demarion Guice, Patrick Turkvant, Addysen Folsom, and Laney Kline will go on to attend regional events on April 23rd.
As they departed the MP campus and began their walk to the track, these students were welcomed with a swarm of support and applause from their Mary Persons peers, teachers and students alike. Schools and organizations housing the special athletes were organized through team tents alongside the field, and volunteers tagged along, providing drinks, snacks, popcorn, and Pinky’s shaved ice to athletes and observers. Before competitions officially commenced, participants and Buddies from each school and organization paraded through the track to the vibrant score of the cheers of family, friends and volunteers, readying them for a day of non-stop activity and interaction.
The day’s affairs provided an unforgettable opportunity for these participants to interact with their friends and peers alongside other special education students around the county.
The day’s community centric atmosphere also provided the perfect chance for Mary Persons Best Buddies participants to truly connect with their buddies, providing assistance and support throughout the day and its events. “Select Best Buddies members from MP participate in Special Olympics each year: some as athletes and some as volunteers,” shared MP Best Buddies founder Elizabeth Holloway. “This year, students with one-on-one Buddies were invited to volunteer on the day of our local games. Each volunteer had a specific role including helping events run smoothly, taking athletes to get medals, helping athletes get to their events on time, and more. It’s a fun opportunity for students who know each other from Best Buddies to get to interact outside of the club, cheering each other on and making memories together!” She added that Anthony Kennedy Shriver, who founded Best Buddies International in 1989, was the son of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who began the Special Olympics in 1968.
“Special Olympics is important for athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) because it gives a lifetime of opportunity for physical activity and a community to belong to,” Holloway added. “Individuals with IDD can begin participating at age 8 and can continue throughout their lives. We have local games here, but there are also region, state, national, and international games that athletes can advance to. In addition to the benefits for athletes with IDD, Special Olympics gives everyone the opportunity to support these athletes. The spirit of celebration and encouragement at Special Olympics is exceptional!”
A few of the day’s competitors, described their attitudes as excited, confident, and awesome. Mary Persons athlete Killian Wright shared that the day just made him feel happy. Before his 400 meter run, competitor Jacorian Mays shared, “I’ve been practicing at home, just running laps all around. I really do feel good about it.” When asked what place he expected to get, he added, “I think I’ll get first, or probably second. (If I get second), I’ll have to go with Patrick (at first). He’s a good runner. I’ve seen him run before, last year.” When asked if he was nervous or anxious at all prior to his events, he replied, “No, I’m not, I think I’m ready for it.” Mays went on to explain how he prepared for his running jump event. “I just get a towel, and pretend that it’s a stand, and just take a step back and run, and see how far I can jump. (I’ve been practicing) I’d say probably 3 weeks. I feel confident about it. (I think I’ll place) probably first.” Mays added that he felt he had improved since he began preparing for the events. “I practice throwing the softball every day. I practice with my friends. So yeah, I kinda feel confident about it.” Mays went on to grab several first place finishes, including one in his 400 meter run. “I feel amazing man, feels good to win. I’m a little bit tired.” He said after his events.
Mary Persons athlete Mason Paul emphasized that despite how confident he felt, he cared more about the experience and having fun as opposed to getting first place. “I don’t care about winning. That doesn’t matter, it’s just a game.” Paul shared that he and his peers practiced together leading up to their events. “We’ve been practicing throwing tennis balls and running (in PE).” Athlete Kelisa Proctor also volunteered to share how she was feeling prior to her events. “I’ve been practicing this week for my run. I hope I get second place or first. I’ve been practicing okay for my running jump. I feel a little anxious, I hope I get first. I’ve been practicing softball with my friends in the gym.”
Overall, Monroe County’s 2025 Special Olympics Track & Field Event was a massive accomplishment in community bonding and friendly competition, but most importantly provided a formative experience for those locally with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be truly involved with their friends and peers through physical activity.
