Hundreds Participate In Special Olympics
Hundreds of students from Johnston County Public Schools competed in the Special Olympics of North Carolina Spring Games on April 11-12 at Smithfield-Selma High.
The Smithfield-Selma High athletic fields were transformed into an Olympic Village to host the games for the athletes. Elementary aged students competed on Thursday, while middle and high school aged students competed on Friday.
“To see this type of event come together is magical. It warms your heart to see everyone come together for the students of Johnston County Public Schools,” said JCPS Director of Exceptional Children Programs Ashley Radford.
Students from across the district spent the past several months preparing for the competitions. The games were made up of different track and field competitions including the long jump, softball throw, 25-meter walk and run, 50-meter walk and run, and the 100-meter walk and run.
“The Special Olympics is such an important day in the lives of these students,” said West Smithfield Elementary teacher Sarah Crane. “These kids are excited about this event. They don’t typically get to participate in school sports. This is a day that they get to shine doing something that they love.”