Photo by Shelley Hanson Peer tutor Colin Jones poses with special student athlete Deklan Dobbs during the Marshall County Special Olympics basketball skills event Thursday at John Marshall High School.

GLEN DALE — Marshall County’s Special Olympians got to show off their basketball skills during a competition Thursday at John Marshall High School.

The children, accompanied by their peer tutors from JM and Cameron High School, did basketball skills including dribbling, shooting and passing the ball.

As each skill was completed, the student-athletes were awarded medals to wear. About 130 athletes participated along with 125 peer tutors from the high schools.

Catherine Folmar, co-director of the Marshall County Special Olympics and principal at Cameron Elementary School, said the annual event is a win for all involved.

“It’s a good experience for everybody because the kids form relationships. Year after year, the kids come back asking for the same kid for each event,” she said. “So it’s nice to see the relationships form and them being excited to see each other.”

Folmar said she enjoys seeing the athletes and students bond and having a good time.

“The kids cannot wait to sign up to be a peer tutor,” she said. “And it’s good to see kids come out of their shell; some of the peer tutors you wouldn’t expect to do a good job, they are amazing and just blossom by helping other kids. And that makes everyone feel good. It’s a good day, a happy day. Everybody is just happy to be here.”

The Knights of Pythias also served lunch during the contest.

The Marshall County Special Olympics’ next event is its track and field competition slated for April 23 at the soccer field behind JMHS.