Young athletes from Mehlville and several neighboring school districts converged May 2 at Mehlville Senior High School for the Special Olympics.
This is the 16th year that Mehlville High School has hosted the celebration, which gives children with physical and mental disabilities a chance to compete in athletic events.
Students from Mehlville High helped organize the event and served as special buddies for the participating athletes.
Mehlville student Kaitlyn Krejci stated in a news release, “It’s my favorite time of the year, my favorite day of the school year. It’s a time when it’s not all about me. It’s about somebody else and giving them the best time that they had.”
Mehlville High School Assistant Principal Jason Landherr sees the event as a win-win situation for the community. The Special Olympians get a chance to participate in athletic events that they might not normally be able to do, and it gives the high schoolers a better perspective on life.
“For our students, it’s an opportunity to work with the kids,” Landherr stated. “You really see some great things from the Mehlville students. They hold hands with their buddies and they do whatever they need to in order to make it a great experience.”