It also was a day that was a long time coming. The COVID-19 pandemic kept the school district from holding the track and field portion of the Special Olympics since 2019. Thursday marked the first time since that year that Special Olympians could come together and participate in events like the 50- and 100-meter runs and the softball throw.

Smiles were abundant, on the faces of the participants, the adults and the John Marshall and Cameron high school students serving as peer tutors. Event co-coordinator Catherine Folmar said there were some tears of joy, too, including some falling down her cheeks.

“As soon as I saw the buses pulling up, I got tears in my eyes,” she said. “I was so excited.”

Thursday’s event was about much more than the competition. Fun and friendship were at the top of the list as well. Just as prominent as the running paths and softball throw area were sections of games like bowling and sack races, where the Special Olympians could enjoy some free time. Some sat under a large multicolored parachute that adult and student volunteers waved above them.

photo by: Photo by Derek Redd

Cameron Elementary School third-grader Landry Wendt gives it his best shot at the softball toss Thursday at the Marshall County Special Olympics.

Those student volunteers, called peer tutors, are an important part of the day, Folmar said. One or two of them are assigned to each Special Olympian and follow them throughout the day to each station.

“It was put best where the peer tutor’s job is to be the kid’s best friend,” she said. “You’re their best friend and they look up to you. You go everywhere. You’re playing with them all day … and the relationships that do come out of that are really sweet.

“It teaches these peer tutors empathy,” Folmar added, “and that they might not have it as bad as they think they do.”

Many different groups came together to make Thursday’s Special Olympics event happen. The JMHS agriculture students prepared and set up the field for the event. The school’s nursing students in the therapeutic services program provided a first aid station and helped with physicals. JM Pro Start students made lunch and WJMH media students announced results and DJed the event.

The surrounding community also played a part, with organizations like the Knights of Pythias, the American Legion and others donating either funds or their time to help the event run.

photo by: Photo by Derek Redd

Cameron High School junior Maddie Wydra, left, watches Glen Dale Elementary third-grader Raylan Ruskin take a turn in a bowling game Thursday at the Marshall County Special Olympics.

Haines – who was Marshall County Schools’ special education director before being promoted to superintendent – said the 150 Special Olympians who participated Thursday would enjoy and unforgettable day.

“I think it gives them an opportunity that they wouldn’t always have,” she said. “We have people from the community to interact with them. They have track and field events, things that they wouldn’t get to experience with their typically developing peers. And so they get to experience those things.”

Marshall County Special Olympians relax as student and adult volunteers raise and lower a parachute above them Thursday.

The motto for this year's Marshall County Special Olympics came from Dr. Seuss.