Annual Special Olympics event brings student body together

Clayton Valley hosted its annual Special Olympics event on March 12 and it was a huge success.

The Special Olympics included basketball games against other schools, a performance from Clayton Valley's women’s ensemble, a performance from the school’s dance team plus a surprise performance from special education student Marco Carino.

Overall the event was a great way to bring the whole school together.  

“I found this event to be extremely inspiring and I think it’s a great opportunity to bring a community together,” said Simon De La Rosa, a freshman at Clayton Valley.

“This is the third year we’ve done it, just seeing the joy on all the students' faces when they’re competing, when they’re making great plays, when they’re doing things they never thought they can do,” said Clayton Valley Executive Director Bill Morones. “It just brings a smile to my face: seeing the families, the parents of the students that are involved, how much joy it brings in as well.”

Morones takes great pride in the Special Olympics. This program has also been a great way to spark new friendships.

“It helps our students build relationships or friendships with students that they might not always talk to, and in a way that’s really rewarding,” said Jenna Ebert, the ASB advisor at Clayton Valley who helped coordinate the event.

Athletes from Clayton Valley and other schools compete in front of large and enthusiastic crowds at the annual Special Olympics event. (Photo by Lucy Weber/Talon staff)

Ebert and Morones both felt that this event was a great way to bring the general education and special education departments together while giving students a spotlight that they might not normally get. Special Olympics Northern California is a nonprofit organization, and Candace Penn was sent to run this event.

“(Penn) walked up to me afterwards and she was so impressed with how everything was organized here, but especially on how our students were so kind, generous, and loving to all of the students that were involved in the event,” said Morones. “So that gave me great pride and satisfaction.”