Published Tuesday, April 08, 2008 2:02 PM
Updated Tuesday, April 08, 2008 2:03 PM
Special Olympian Drew McKellar prepares for a wagon race.
Jaymie Grant and Ashley Lloyd compete in the hula hoop event.
Beech Hill Special Olympians re-invent the wheel
Peels of laughter rang in the hallways as kids in wagons were pulled down the hallway at breakneck speed. “I’m so cool!” said one child as he crossed the makeshift finish line.
And that’s what it was all about when the Special Olympics were cancelled due to rain on April 3, 2008 at Beech Hill. Teachers and helpers pulled together when the cancellation was announced. New events were prepared, pizza was ordered, lemonade mixed and iced and Olympians were on their ready marks.
Beech Hill teacher, Chad Counts said, “This is such a bummer. Let’s see if we can plan something special for them to do anyway.” The events took shape quickly and the hallways were cleared. Teachers, students, and helpers all got together and made their own Beech Hill Special Olympics.
Events included wagon races down the hallway and around the lobby, hula hoop twisting, parachuting with objects on the parachute, a bean bag toss, and “worm” crawling. Happy faces were everywhere as children gave it their personal best.
Tired and happy from the wagon races, smiling children went back to their classrooms to ready themselves for the big “Special Olympics” parade. They were so proud, happy and deserving of all the applause.