Marshall County students gather for annual Spring Special Olympics

MARSHALL COUNTY, W.Va. (WTRF) – The sunshine, fresh cut grass and hundreds of community members made for the perfect annual Spring Special Olympics for Marshall County Schools.

Nearly 200 high school peer tutors from John Marshall and Cameron High School helped lead around 150 athletes throughout the day.

Events like the Special Olympics allow students with physical and intellectual disabilities to get involved in activities they usually do not participate in like running, corn hole, throwing events and even arts and crafts.

Co-coordinator of the event, Catherine Folmar says just raising awareness and showing these kids they can be involved in sports and other extra-curriculars makes a world of a difference.

“It’s just a chance for them to come out, participate in a sport, win some medals and have a great day.”

Catherine Folmar | Co-coordinator, Marshall County Schools Special Olympics

Folmar says she has student athletes who have graduated come back to join in on the fun.

Logan Jones is one of those athletes and tells me he loves coming back every year to see his best friends.

“It’s so much fun, I do this every year [to see] my best friends.”

Logan Jones | Olympian

Logan’s peer tutor, Destany Groves is a junior at John Marshall and getting to see everyone smile is what has kept her coming back for the last three years.

“I think it’s so fun watching everybody have a good day. Even the people that are helping and the people that are playing. It’s just fun to watch everybody.”

Destany Groves | Junior, JMHS

“We have peer tutors come back and ask for the same kid year after year. And it’s a really nice thing to see the relationships that are formed between the peer tutors and the athletes because they just they love each other and they’re best friends.”

Catherine Folmar | Co-coordinator, Marshall County Schools Special Olympics

Senior John Marshall peer tutor, Brock Gast, has been involved in Special Olympics for the last four years and says the event is just beautiful.

He helps his brother Heath have the best day possible.

Marshall County Schools will host another Special Olympics come wintertime, and that will be basketball themed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTRF.