Clovis East High School Special Olympics deeply impact athletes, organizers say

CLOVIS, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – Hundreds of special education students gathered at Clovis East High School (CEHS) for the annual Special Olympics on Thursday.

The event has become a favorite tradition, attracting more than 650 athletes from 15 schools and seven adult transition programs.

Organizers say it’s not just about competition, though. Their goal is for everyone to have fun.

They say Special Olympics Soccer is the happiest sports environment they’ve experienced.

“If this does not make you feel good, you might want to check yourself. There’s probably something wrong with you,” Drew Torosian with the Schools Partnership Program said.

CEHS aims to promote unity and respect, empowering students to get out of their comfort zones.

While many athletes may wear different jerseys, Torosian says everyone is truly on the same team.

“These events bring the best out of everybody. No matter who you’re rooting for, you’re going to root for everybody because everybody is at their maximum ability here and everybody’s rooting for each other,” Torosian said.

No matter the winner, the athletes’ families simply want to see a smile on their child’s face.

“You can see the joy in their faces, and they’re friends. They don’t know the difference really between schools. They just – to them, they’re all friends,” grandparent Mike Kirchner said.

After a day full of competition and making new friends, athlete Jaden says the only word to describe how he feels is “tired.”

The friendships will not end after the final goal, though.

Organizers say the best part of the event is seeing the athletes sit together at lunch the next day and ask each other to future dances.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS47 and KSEE24 | YourCentralValley.com.