Student athletes from Leominster’s Life Skills program had a fun and memorable day at this year’s Special Olympics event taking place at  historical Doyle Field. They enjoyed making friends, competing in sports they adore, and showing signs of teamwork and sportsmanship.

One athlete, LHS Junior Lexi Dandy, said her favorite games were track and soccer.

She talked about wanting to be on a team, saying the weather was nice, around 60 degrees and sunny, making it such a good day for outdoor activities. 

Another student athlete, LHS Senior  Jean Pierre, competed in soccer and stated that was his favorite as well. He said it was the best Special Olympics event he had attended. He was so very proud of making new friends, including LHS Sophomore Elijah and LHS Freshman Jjadiel Sanchez.

Jean was able to earn a medal, and he said he enjoyed meeting new people from different teams. 

This was Jean’s last year in the Special Olympics, as he is a senior.

This event brought together so many new friends, from the student athletes,  to the coaches, the volunteers, and the students’ families, all to celebrate inclusion, personal growth, determination, and teamwork. 

People who participated competed in a variety of activities, while building confidence and making life-long memories.

The Special Olympics continues to provide an opportunity for athletes of all abilities to showcase their talents and their drive for competition. For many participants, the friendships and experiences made during events were just as important as the medals that they had earned.