Ep 179 | Special Olympics: Passing the torch & uniting us

SPEAKER_01 0:00

It is for me and for the students, it's the most rewarding day. You can walk around and just look, and there everyone has a smile. Everyone's laughing. And like I said, it just takes away all of the differences and brings everyone together. Everyone wants everyone to be successful that day. And it just gives it it allows everyone to be on the same playing field. And the kids look forward to it every single year.

SPEAKER_00 0:37

Welcome to the Voices United in Education podcast. Each week we showcase the teachers, administrators, and community members who go the extra mile to contribute to the success of every child in Escambia County. You'll meet the real people behind the titles and learn about the amazing resources to support your child's success. People travel far and wide to attend the Olympics and Paralympics. But did you know that Pensacola has hosted a special Olympics event for the last 20 years? Home to Tate High School for the last decade of that time, it's an event that brings together students, staff, and community. And my next guests are part of the incredible team that make it happen. One is the director of exceptional student education, and the other is the principal of Tate High School. Together, they're going to share the exciting impact and dynamic logistics of an event like this. Impact makers, spirit builders, and inclusion cheerleaders, Sandra Hill and Laura Touchstone. Thank you, ladies, for being here. Thank you for having us. Thank you. We didn't know inclusion cheerleader should be like on a t-shirt or maybe your resume email signature, maybe. I love it. I love it. It sounds like a great caption.

SPEAKER_02 1:53

Sure. Sounds like a good caption.

SPEAKER_00 1:56

So, Laura, this is such an incredible event, and you've done it for so many years. I mean, you've got to have stories. Do you have any favorite stories?

SPEAKER_01 2:03

We do. You know, um, we sat down and figured out what year this was for us. And this is our 16th year hosting the Special Olympics. And so the stories obviously go back for 16 years, but I think just overall, it is the largest student-led outreach in the area. The students basically do it all. And the students and the staff really describe it as the best day of the year. And I think for me, the most memorable story is we have uh one of our special needs students. She struggles with social anxiety, and her freshman year would not talk to anyone, would hardly come out from behind the teacher's desk. And last year sang the national anthem.

SPEAKER_00 2:53

Whoa! I did not expect that ending.

SPEAKER_01 2:56

Yes. Are you serious? Yes, she sang the national anthem at the Special Olympics. There are lots of stories, not just for our students with special needs, but for all of our students. It brings our whole community together where everyone puts all of their differences aside and becomes one community.

SPEAKER_02 3:17

Oh, I love that. Sandra, do you have a favorite story as well? I do. And it is when I was notified of one of the students who'd been selected to run the torch run. And the student, he was just absolutely ecstatic that he asked his adapted PE teacher for training to ensure that he could endure the entire torch run around the stadium, as well as to climb the stairs of the stadium in order to reach the top and to lift and hoist the torch. And he was absolutely elated and just to see his enthusiasm as he ran that entire time. And we've had an opportunity where we've passed the torch, literally, between two students, and for them to have shared that experience. It's been one of the most coveted highlights of the Special Olympics event. So, yes, to know that he was so excited and he completed it with all level of just excitement.

SPEAKER_00 4:26

Oh, I can only imagine that. And there's some, there's a couple things there I want to unpack. And one of them is that there was a torch run. So that's very similar to the Olympics that we watch on TV. Yes. What other things are similar to the Olympics that we all are familiar with, the features that you also have at the Special Olympics games?

SPEAKER_02 4:47

There are prepared games that the students participate in. And so they actually undergo training to participate in the Games, and they are competitive. And they also receive a medal at the end of their participation in the games. And so those similarities really give the experience of participating in Special Olympics with the students as they experience or see it on television, something that they can relate to to see the different events. Some of them are going on simultaneously, just as they are in the world of Special Olympics as we know it. And they absolutely have an amazing time participating in those events. And they are so excited when they get their medals, obviously.

SPEAKER_00 5:40

I mean, yeah, that sounds incredible. So there's medals. Does that mean there's judges too?

SPEAKER_02 5:45

We do have timekeepers and we have the appropriate staff members to judge who the winners or the most successful athlete is for that particular event. But it is one that all students are recognized.

SPEAKER_00 6:01

Oh, okay. Okay. And the other thing that I wanted to extract from what you were saying was about the adaptive PE teacher. And then again, you just said, you know, they participate in training. And I'm like, wait a minute. First of all, I didn't know we had adaptive PE teachers. That's amazing. And so tell me about that and tell me about the training.

SPEAKER_02 6:21

Okay. So the adapted PE teachers, it is they are our regular physical education teachers, but they have training to adjust the to the needs of students who may have physical and or cognitive delays so that they are able to participate safely in physical activities. And depending upon their age range, it is which of the particular games that they train for throughout the school year in order to prepare for the Special Olympic Games or an event that may be held for their specific grade level. So we do have the Young Athletes program, yes, for our younger students who may not participate in the actual Special Olympics Games. So we have activities and we have those training activities for the students to prepare them for the level at which they will participate.

SPEAKER_00 7:24

Can you tell me which uh events are at the Special Olympics?

SPEAKER_01 7:29

Definitely the relay.

SPEAKER_02 7:30

That's one of their favorites. They have throwing type activities as well. You can think of maybe like the Gavlin. They will, of course, adapt those type of activities so that our students are able to train for them safely as well as participate with them. Throwing balls, actually lifting and hoisting balls with things that look similar to maybe um it's a very light, it looks like a beach ball, and they are using their upper body strength, eye coordination to keep the ball in the air, keep it on a particular type of uh surface in the air. And the students absolutely have an amazing time.

SPEAKER_00 8:16

It sounds like such a fun event. Like something that would be so much fun to go to, but it's not like there's a fairy godmother waving a magic wand and all the, you know, poof, everything's logistically blissful. So let's unpack these logistics a little bit because we're talking about how many students?

SPEAKER_02 8:32

Well, the attendance has varied. It keeps growing, it's growing every year. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_01 8:38

I think last year we had about 30 schools participating.

SPEAKER_02 8:41

Whoa, 30 schools. Yes. So we had, um, according to our coordinator, Mr. Todd Boyd, we had over 400 plus. So students participating? Students participating.

SPEAKER_00 8:53

Yes. Whoa. Yes. Okay. How how does transportation work? So transportation is they look at each other like, oh, transportation.

SPEAKER_02 9:02

Transportation is definitely one of the major logistics that is included in this particular activity. And we have a debriefing at the end of each event, and we start preparing for the next one the next week. And transportation is one of the first things that we start with. And it is to ensure that each school that is identified will that will have participants there. We will then, as best we can, determine the number of students who will participate, give that information to transportation so then they can sprinkle their transportation logistics dust on the process to ensure that they maximize the pickup locations and things of that nature because these are bus drivers who have their regular runs and then to circle back and to start gathering our students for the event.

SPEAKER_00 10:00

I mean, and just the regular transportation machine is so complex. It's so it like makes my brain hurt just thinking about how to get all the students safely from A to B and the different layers and levels of time. So to add in this event is no small undertaking.

SPEAKER_02 10:21

It is not. And Ms. Touchstone and her staff, they are extremely deliberate regarding how the buses arrive, where they drop the students off, then where the buses return to wait for the students, and then the same very planned process for the students when it's time for them to board the bus and return to their school. And so it is not something by happenstance that occurs. It is one that is planned explicitly.

SPEAKER_00 10:51

Yes, and all hands on deck, like team-wise.

SPEAKER_01 10:55

Yes. And when she talks about, you know, the transportation numbers, once those are finalized, those are sent to us. So our junior ROTC starts planning the logistics. Like as the buses come on, this is where the buses are going to park, this is where they're going to unload. If they need help unloading their buses with coolers, with food, this is who's going to unload this bus for this school. This is where their snacks are going. This is where their coolers are going. Just because the numbers are established, then that transitions over to us so that we know how to manage them once they're on our campus.

SPEAKER_00 11:29

Yes. And I mean, all of it. Yes, the snacks. Like, don't lose my snacks.

SPEAKER_01 11:33

That's right. You know, we have to have snacks.

SPEAKER_00 11:35

What about medical stuff? Like, um, is there someone around in case someone gets injured?

SPEAKER_01 11:42

Andrews Institute is always there. They have a medical tent set up with at least one trainer from Andrews Institute who is there to care for the students. Every year we have a little cut or a little bruise, and they're there to provide all the TLC.

SPEAKER_00 11:57

I mean, that is, I didn't expect you to say Andrews, you know, because that's that is top tier. It is. That's elite level.

SPEAKER_02 12:05

Obviously, they support our athletic program here in Escampia County. Yeah. Our football games, and they have made that commitment to our special Olympians as well. And we appreciate that. That's amazing.

SPEAKER_01 12:20

How does security work? So on that day, we typically have our school resource officers who are assigned to be at the Special Olympics. Also, if um community members, parents want to come and view the festivities that day, they also sign in at the front office and there's a process for that, and then they get a badge. Once they get their badge, then they can go around to our bus ramp and show that badge to the security guard. And the security guard will usher them in and show them where to park.

SPEAKER_00 12:56

So, what does that process entail? I mean, are we doing background checks or fingerprinting or facial recognition?

SPEAKER_01 13:01

Like what level? They have to present a driver's license, and we have a program that's used at every school where we run their driver's license to do like a modified background check to make sure there's nothing that would prevent them from being on a school campus.

SPEAKER_00 13:17

So you said there's 300 people that participate. How many people are coming into the stands to watch as audience?

SPEAKER_01 13:25

So we have parents, obviously, that come. We have some community members who come, our school board members, our superintendent executive staff come as well. In addition, uh teachers will bring their classes in. So our students are in the stands cheering on the athletes as they're competing in their different competitions. And then in addition, we have in between 600 and 800 students who are acting as buddies for the Special Olympians. So you've got those buddies that are down there in the action with the students who are participating, cheering them on right beside them. Okay.

SPEAKER_00 14:07

So as a principal, how do you see that interaction benefiting your student body? Like what do you see the effects of this event on the students?

SPEAKER_01 14:17

Absolutely. It is for me and for the students, it's the most rewarding day. You can walk around and just look, and there everyone has a smile. Everyone's laughing. And like I said, it just takes away all of the differences and brings everyone together. Everyone wants everyone to be successful that day. And it just gives it it allows everyone to be on the same playing field. And the kids look forward to it every single year.

SPEAKER_02 14:50

The buddies wear the same shirts. Same shirts. We have shirts. Hey, buddy, let's go. And the students who are coming to participate, they pick up on that link all very quickly, despite whatever disability they may have. And you will hear them interacting and greeting each other as, hey, buddy, as if they'd known each other for a very long time. And in actuality, they most likely would have just met within the last five to ten minutes ago. But they know that they are safe to be accompanied and to hold the hand of someone who has that t-shirt on. And they feel very comfortable. It may appear as it is something that you have many people on a field, and we do, but as Ms. Touchstone has said, we have that security, we have the comfort of that, we have the folks who are in the stands who are cheering them on. We have it is a spectative sport. So and very organized. Yes, and they are being watched and cheered on by spectators in the stand the entire time the events are going on. So the sp the stands are full. And it is one to just be extremely elated to see the jubilation on a student's face when they make it through an event and then they hear the spectators cheering for them.

SPEAKER_00 16:34

What about the parents?

SPEAKER_02 16:36

What is the response of the parents to all of this? The parents are so elated. And because they have one of prob most likely a few opportunities to have their child among so many other students where some may be like them, some may not be, but everyone is accepted. Everyone is there to support each other. And the parents feel extremely comfortable in that setting. They welcome it. It is one of our hallmark events of the year, as I stated earlier, that we start that planning very soon after. And so the parents they inquire how many people can they bring with them from a family to cheer on their child or their children. So it is one that we definitely welcome families, and um, we have community sponsors as well. And so Mr. Dwight Damond, 22 years, he's an adaptive PE teacher who has been involved in this. And the Scambia County School District, we've been involved in this endeavor since 1996. Wow. It's been an extremely long time. Yes. Oh my god. And so we started out at Booker T Washington High School, and we have made a shift for varying reasons. And so we've landed. We felt very much at home there. And we feel very welcomed and at home at Tate High School as well, the home of the Aggies. And they've made us feel very comfortable. And we do appreciate that because Ms. Touchdown and I both know it is important that you have a team who is working together for this one common goal. And as we prepare for this, we have um financial support from the Special Olympics organization that they contribute to assist us with transportation, to fund the transportation for some of the buses, because it is not inexpensive to move our buses. And so it is one that we have an inordinate amount of commitment from both the financial standpoint, a work standpoint, and participation preparation, and all of the other activities that our the students and the teachers and the club organizer organizers engage in to ensure that when the students aren't participating in games, that they have other activities to participate in as well.

SPEAKER_00 19:16

I mean, that's just not even something I thought of until y'all said it that, okay, we need to have multiple things going on to keep everyone engaged. Oh, yes, and and wanting to stay there. And so that's just so brilliant. Okay, so tell me on the athlete side, who is eligible to compete? Because I think you said in our pre-chat, it's not everyone. It is not.

SPEAKER_02 19:38

It is not so much um an eligibility from a grade standpoint, because we want to ensure that the students are at a developmental physical level or an expected developmental and physical level to participate in the games that have been established. So for that young athletes program, the yes, that's held for more of our primary students. And then for those mid-elementary and older students, they are the participants in the Special Olympics events. We also have some fall field, uh, track and field events. We have a basketball tournament that occurs between a couple of high schools. They also have a bowling activity throughout the year that occurs for some of the schools as well. So the adapted PE teachers, they would use all of their imagination and all of their creative juices to ensure that all students have an opportunity to participate in a program uh at least once throughout the year.

SPEAKER_00 20:43

Okay, so there's multiple levels of entry, if you will, for participation. Yes. So um, if a parent is curious about their student participating, because maybe they didn't know about this, what would be a good next step for them?

SPEAKER_02 20:55

They would contact their ESE teacher or um the student's PE teacher or adapted PE teacher, because not all of our students need adapted PE for 2026.

SPEAKER_00 21:09

What are the dates? Because if someone doesn't have a student eligible to participate, it sounds like they might just want to go because it sounds like a good event.

SPEAKER_01 21:17

March 11th is the day. And if that day is rained out, then March 13th is the day.

SPEAKER_00 21:25

Okay. And tickets, do you need we need to purchase tickets or is this a free event? It's a free event. That is incredible. Any final thoughts as we wrap up?

SPEAKER_02 21:34

I would like to just emphasize the the over the years how the participation has grown. You know, it has um increased to almost 600 students. And Hurricane Ivan visited our area.

SPEAKER_00 21:48

And I love how delicately Ivan he just wanted to visit, so no big deal. Uncle Ivan, he's so crazy.

SPEAKER_02 21:56

And of course, our community had to have a nice little three to five year bounce back from that. And after we reinitiated our um our event, the participation has uh steadily increased. And we've had Mr. Damon and all of his staff, um, his supervisor, Ms. Angie Carden, they are in constant contact with Ms. Touchstone and her staff, and they have a very well-oiled planning machine in order to ensure that just even over the 200 plus um school-based staff who come to support the students are able to ensure that our 450 plus students are actually there to enjoy a time that in which we know that they deserve, and one that we have just an absolutely amazing time observing them participate in such an auspicious activity.

SPEAKER_00 23:00

Absolutely a core memory for everyone. Yes.

SPEAKER_01 23:03

And I would just like to say that our students take great pride in making sure that from the moment our special Olympians get off the bus that they feel welcomed and that they feel included. Every one of the buddies um make a spirit line. And so from the moment they get off the bus, they walk through a spirit line of kids just cheering and welcoming them and just making them feel so special. And then after they compete in their games, we have what we call the village. And every um club and organization, athletic group, they have um some sort of game set up or activity set up where the kids can come to their booth and do some sort of game, some sort of competition, and every kid gets a prize. I love this. Yeah, the buddies are just cheering them on, and um the Special Olympics is a is a great day, and I'd say every year it changes everyone's lives.

SPEAKER_02 24:01

There is no experience like the experience of that spirit line. You see just the the personalities of the students just exude from them. They break out into a dance. They may we see the side of them that we've never seen some of those dance moves that our students were just uh who they may be hesitant and shy, but when they get in that spirit line, it's a different level of confidence and showmanship.

SPEAKER_00 24:31

I love that so much. I can just see that in my head. That is amazing. Such core memories made for everyone. Thank you, ladies, for sharing this. And I do hope that we give your attendance in 2026 a good boost thanks to this conversation. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks for listening. Be sure to subscribe and share. Voices United in Education is a production of Escamby County Public Schools.