This past weekend Marion Academy held the Special Olympics Spring Games. The Spring Games is an event that allows Special Olympics athletes to compete in a track and field meet. Benet Academy’s Benet Buddies Club had the pleasure of attending this event. The volunteers assisted with the opening ceremonies from 7:30 to 10:00 a.m. 

The volunteers arrived bright and early to start the day at Marion Academy. After parking, they were led into the field tent, where they checked in and were assigned a team to represent them. Once the volunteers had a team, they went to another parking lot where the competing teams lined up alphabetically. After all the teams had been organized, they began to walk over to the track. This is where the fun truly began. The volunteers were asked to hold up signs, flags, pom-poms, and other noise makers to pump up the athletes they represented. The teams paraded around the track and were announced over the loudspeakers. Friends and families applauded and cheered, excited for the day ahead. 

Benet Academy Freshman Abigail Wojcik said, “It was so much fun interacting with the athletes from Waubonsie. I was able to talk with them and hype them up for the exciting events they would participate in later that day!” Overall, this event was a huge success. The volunteers did a tremendous job. The event ran smoothly, and the athletes had a great time. As the 2023 school year ends, this event was a phenomenal way to close it out.