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ASHLAND About 90 students put their athletic skills on display as months of preparation — including an extra week after a weather postponement — culminated in a successful Ashland Special Olympics Friday at the Ashland Blazer High School track.
“Today is an opportunity for our students to come out and show their abilities,” said Lindsay Riffe, a first-year special education teacher at Ashland Middle School. She was an instructional aide the last two years. “These are the kids who aren’t usually participating in general sports, so this is a day for them to come and display their abilities and talents.”
The student-athletes knocked it out of the park by thriving in events such as T-ball, running, disc throw, cornhole, long jump, hurdles, shot put, gymnastics, volleyball and even an egg-and-spoon race.
“The kids have had so much fun,” Riffe said as they took a break for lunch, provided by Giovanni’s Pizza. “They love being out here and being with the student volunteers.”
Riffe said there were about 170 student volunteers to help the participants, who are all Ashland students ranging from kindergarten to 12th grade. Several faculty members volunteered. Six state troopers came to help, too. They told coordinators they would love to return in the future.
Hillary Rice, the events coordinator, said planning began for Ashland Special Olympics in September.
“Where I teach adaptive PE and where I know most of the kids, I’ll put them in events that they are used to and familiar with,” Rice said. “It is a September-to-April process.”
The event was originally scheduled for Friday, April 11, but bad weather postponed it until a week later.
Friday’s conditions were ideal — other than high winds knocking tents around and even blowing a couple over the fence. Temperatures hovered around the high-70s as students competed from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. prior to lunch. After noon, they were getting set for more fun activities such as inflatables and a foam machine.
“Today has been amazing,” Rice said. “It’s all for the kids.”
“They love it,” Riffe added. “They’ve had so much fun. It’s such a good day.”
“You can’t help but smile on a day like today,” said Jamie Campbell, Ashland Blazer’s principal.
(606) 326-2664 |
[email protected]
Continue reading...
“Today is an opportunity for our students to come out and show their abilities,” said Lindsay Riffe, a first-year special education teacher at Ashland Middle School. She was an instructional aide the last two years. “These are the kids who aren’t usually participating in general sports, so this is a day for them to come and display their abilities and talents.”
The student-athletes knocked it out of the park by thriving in events such as T-ball, running, disc throw, cornhole, long jump, hurdles, shot put, gymnastics, volleyball and even an egg-and-spoon race.
“The kids have had so much fun,” Riffe said as they took a break for lunch, provided by Giovanni’s Pizza. “They love being out here and being with the student volunteers.”
Riffe said there were about 170 student volunteers to help the participants, who are all Ashland students ranging from kindergarten to 12th grade. Several faculty members volunteered. Six state troopers came to help, too. They told coordinators they would love to return in the future.
Hillary Rice, the events coordinator, said planning began for Ashland Special Olympics in September.
“Where I teach adaptive PE and where I know most of the kids, I’ll put them in events that they are used to and familiar with,” Rice said. “It is a September-to-April process.”
The event was originally scheduled for Friday, April 11, but bad weather postponed it until a week later.
Friday’s conditions were ideal — other than high winds knocking tents around and even blowing a couple over the fence. Temperatures hovered around the high-70s as students competed from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. prior to lunch. After noon, they were getting set for more fun activities such as inflatables and a foam machine.
“Today has been amazing,” Rice said. “It’s all for the kids.”
“They love it,” Riffe added. “They’ve had so much fun. It’s such a good day.”
“You can’t help but smile on a day like today,” said Jamie Campbell, Ashland Blazer’s principal.
(606) 326-2664 |
[email protected]
Continue reading...
