GCISD Special Olympics athletes, School Resource Officers, trustees, district and city leaders, and families gathered at the Mustang Activity Center on Saturday, April 13, for an inaugural Bocce Ball Tournament.
Opening ceremonies for the event started with parents joining hands to form a human tunnel that the athletes passed under as the crowd cheered them on. As the event got underway, festive music, laughter and cheers could be heard throughout.
Bocce ball was introduced to GCISD Special Olympics in the 2023-2024 school year so that student-athletes could learn the rules of the game and practice, then participate in the sport next year with Special Olympics Texas.
“This is a great event,” said parent Courtney Newman. “It’s fun for everybody, and it’s good exposure for the community to see all of their abilities. I would tell every parent to come and be part of our [Special Olympics] team.”
Adaptive P.E. coach Trent Edwards, who has been the main Special Olympics organizer for the past 13 years, thought it would be great to invite School Resource Officers who are now part of every GCISD campus. The event would also serve as a way for Special Olympics student athletes to interact with community members at the event and during monthly practices.
Colleyville Chief of Police Michael Miller said that the practices are not only fun, but enable the officers to build relationships.
“We know the students on a first name basis,” he shared. “We are so thankful for the opportunity to come together to celebrate the kids and celebrate our partnership with GCISD. It’s a great time out here today.”
The event did indeed close with a celebration as each student was presented with a medal as a small remembrance of their special day.