Daily Reporter staff reports
FORTVILLE — All Mt. Vernon schools recently participated in the Unified Champion Special Olympics, an organization that brings together athletes with and without disabilities to train and compete on the same team. Unified Champions is an inclusive event designed for all students to participate regardless of athletic, intellectual, ambulatory or functional abilities.
Students from the Mini-Marauder Preschool and the three elementary schools walked a lap around the track and then rotated through various activities that included walking on balance beams, running in relay races, kicking a soccer ball and jumping over obstacles.
The middle school and high school participated in their own Special Olympics starting with a parade around the middle school while students lined the halls and cheered for the participants. The parade was followed by a lap around the track and games where the participants were awarded with ribbons. Relay races and throwing contests were some of the many competitions the students participated in. The event ended with the presentation of the Andrew Mize Unified Champions Participant of the Year Award. The award, given in honor of Andrew Mize, a Mt. Vernon student who passed away unexpectedly in April, was presented to two of Andrew’s close friends.
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