By JULIE ALPAUGH – Photography Editor
By JURNEE LOUDER – News Editor
On April 6, the Clarke County School District held the annual CCSD Special Olympics at Clarke Central High School.
Jurnee Louder: How many years have you been involved in Special Olympics?
Jennifer Frost: I’ve been teaching for 20 years. I’ve been at Clarke Central for 16. I started helping out for Special Olympics when I was in middle school. So, I went to Clarke Middle and when Special Olympics came to Clarke Middle, I was one of those people that would help volunteer.
JL: What happens for Special Olympics?
JF: This year, for Spring Olympics, we’re going to be (at Clarke Central High School). Our school is actually hosting, so JROTC classes will be involved in running actual events.
Then, they take volunteers to help any students that need any help at all. There will be students from our school assigned to other schools and other classes to help them. Then, some schools bring their own volunteers as well.
JL: How many schools are involved in the Special Olympics?
JF: All of (the schools in) Clarke County (are involved) for local games, and then for area games, it’s all of Clarke County and Madison, Oglethorpe, Oconee and Walton.
JL: What kind of activities do they have?
JF: In the Spring, we’ll have all track and field events. (There will be) shot put, running (and) the standing long jump. Then, there is also softball. For state games, there is also bocce, swimming, gymnastics, equestrian, and skiing. (State games) have all kinds (of games). (It’s) every sport you could ever play.
JL: Which one is most fun for you?
JF: I have helped volunteer with swimming. That was a lot of fun. Any time I have a team that’s really involved, then I love it. If I get to coach a team, then that’s really fun. The basketball and floor hockey we do in the winter is fun.
JL: How do you guys prepare for each event?
JF: Our Adaptive P.E. coach, Julie Evans, heads Special Olympics for our county. So, she’s kind of in charge of who does what and all of that. We see her three times a week for Adaptive P.E. class, so if Special Olympics is coming up, then we start to practice. (CAPS students) have to do some minimal stuff to be able to be eligible and placed in certain heats. So, when Special Olympics start, you’ll be placed with other students who are in your same speed. So, nobody is like way out ahead.
JL: How do you think the CAPS students feel about Special Olympics?
JF: They love it. Anybody you’ll ever ask, (would say that) they love it.
