On April 26, 2024, Lexington High School hosted its 18th annual all-day Special Olympics at the Lexington Track. During the event, students a part of the LABBB Collaborative participate in various sporting events. Student volunteers participated as Buddies through the LHS Chapter of Best Buddies International, and also set up and ran the events.
“Special Olympics is basically an event where different Olympic-style sports are offered for [special education students],” Keya Doshi, a sophomore and first-time volunteer, said.
The Special Olympics movement began in 1968, with a mission of providing year-round athletic training and competition in sports for students that are a part of the LHS LABBB program. The LABBB Collaborative comprises five towns: Lexington, Arlington, Burlington, Bedford, and Belmont.
“[Students] discover new strengths and abilities [and new] skills and successes,” Doshi said.
The day begins at 7:30 a.m., well before the actual event, with set up and arrival of the student volunteers. There are numerous different ways for students to get involved, including setting up arts and crafts stands, and food.
“Everything is interdependent. We’re able to accommodate a large amount of [student volunteers],” Doshi said.
The student volunteers’ main role is to act as a “buddy” by partnering up with athletes for the event. Buddies and athletes spend a significant portion of the day bonding.
“[My buddy and I] talked for so long, making the best of every minute. We had a lot of intriguing conversations about movies. I now have recommendations for things I’ve never heard of before,” Doshi said.
The Best Buddies club at LHS works with the LABBB program to prepare for Special Olympics. The goal of the organization is to provide educational programming and support for special education students.
After Buddies found their athletes, they headed out to the track for the commencement parade and speeches, then the athletes split off into events. Field events included javelin, soccer, an obstacle course for running events, relays, and individual races. Doshi explained that as the day dwindled down athletes and buddies spent time relaxing and playing on the playground.
“It was just such a refreshing day…It’s an unforgettable experience,” Doshi said.
LHS students had the opportunity to come to the fields and celebrate student-athletes participating in the event.
“Whenever students have free blocks or maybe in a class with a teacher that lets you go out to the field to see the Special Olympics, then you will get to leave class early, go down to the field to cheer for the athletes,” Sophia Cochis, a sophomore and spectator at the event, said.
LHS Special Olympics served as a way for students to create new friendships and shared experiences.
“Whenever I see my buddy or other buddies in the hallway, we always check in on each other. I made a couple of new friends and I think friendship is very powerful,” Doshi said.
As one of the biggest events of the school year, the Special Olympics also serves to strengthen the LHS community.
“Whether we’re troubleshooting something or having fun and going through events together, I think we all feel the impact of the Special Olympics and their mission,” Doshi said.
