Special Olympics about fun, competition; St. Mary holds 40th annual track meet

Over 100 student-athletes had their chance to shine on the track and in the field, but it was also much more than just a track meet.

The 40th annual St. Mary Parish Special Olympics Track and Field Meet was held Friday at Tiger Stadium in Morgan City.

About 120 students took part in Friday's competition, while another 60 student volunteers helped adaptive physical education teachers put on the event.
Parish Special Education Supervisor Debra McClarity said the students really enjoy participating in Special Olympic events, and organizers enjoy putting on the events.

"It's a concerted effort with everybody, teachers, parents, students, especially our student volunteers," McClarity said.

Track and field events students participated in included sprints, a softball throw, tennis ball throw, shot put and standing long jump.

"Most of these kids don't compete in like Little League baseball or basketball, but this gives them an opportunity to compete," said Steve Harris, St. Mary Parish Schools’ coordinator of related services. Harris is in charge of organizing the parish’s Special Olympic events.

Each year, a different high school hosts the track and field meet. The school district also holds a Special Olympic bowling competition each year at Charlie’s Lanes.

There are a lot of things participants get out of Special Olympic competitions "besides just simply coming out and running a race or throwing a ball," Harris said.

When Harris first started working with special education students over 30 years ago, they went to separate schools. But now special education classes exist at all campuses in the parish.

Having student volunteers interact with special education students is another way of promoting more interaction among the students, he said.

Different high school students volunteer at the meet each year, and this year students from Morgan City, Berwick and Patterson high schools helped out.
Many volunteers end up deciding to go into teaching, therapy or other jobs "working with special services' kids," Harris said.

Occupational therapists, trainers and Acadian Ambulance also assisted with the parish meet. The St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office and Morgan City Police Department had representatives attend as well to cheer on the student-athletes.

The three top placers in each event from Friday’s meet will go on to the Acadiana south region meet at West St. Mary High School April 7, and then top placers from the region meet qualify for the state outdoor meet in Hammond.