4th Annual School Games Competition for Children With Special Needs

Opening Ceremonies begin at 9:30am at the Santa Barbara City College Track followed by track and field events for all ability levels including wheelchair races.

Regional Director Sara Spataro explains, “Special Olympics provides the only inter-school athletic competition for children with intellectual disabilities and we are excited to offer children from 29 local school programs the opportunity to compete, have fun, and be included in community athletic competition. The smiles on student’s faces as they run, walk, roll, jump and throw will absolutely inspire you. ”

Students from the Carpinteria, Hope, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Santa Ynez, Solvang and County Special Education programs have been training for the past three months with the volunteer help of participating Special Education and Adapted P.E. teachers and aides. Athletes will have the opportunity to participate in up to three Track & Field events including 25, 50, 100 & 200 Meter Races; the 10, 25, & 50 Meter Race Walk; the10 Meter Wheelchair Race & 30 Meter Wheelchair Slalom. Field Events include a Softball Throw, Tennis Ball Throw, Tennis Ball Drop (for athletes in wheelchairs,) Standing Long Jump & Running Long Jump. Student’s courageous efforts will earn them a Gold, Silver, or Bronze medal for each event they compete in. Law Enforcement officers will present athletes with their medals.

The School Games competition will kick-off at 9:30am with opening ceremonies led by Santa Barbara Law Enforcement, followed by a parade of athletes representing each participating schools.

The event is generously sponsored by the Deckers, Yardi Systems, Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, Venoco, Inc., Cottage Health Systems, Brittingham Family Foundation, First California Bank, Vetronix and Rotary of SB & Montecito. The event has been organized by Special Olympics staff and volunteers including Arts for Humanity, Deckers Outdoors, Jenny Schatzle and Team Schatzle, National Charity League, UCSB, SBCC, & Westmont students, Starbucks, Sports Authority, Kiwanis of Santa Barbara, UCSB EOP Staff, Vetronix Etas Group, Law Enforcementand, and many community volunteers.

Spectators are encouraged to come to the SBCC track grandstands and cheer for student athletes as they compete to achieve their personal best! To volunteer on Friday, contact Ashley Haug at 884-1516 or mailto:ahaug@sosc.org as soon as possible. For more information visit: www.sosc.org/santabarbara.