EPISD Special Education announced today that the Special Olympics Unidos Games will go virtual this school year, giving athletes a chance to continue to participate and earn medals while staying safe.
Track events such as 50, 100, 200 and 400-meter races will be timed and submitted to determine winners for the virtual competition, which will be held on Zoom on March 4. Each campus will present a video showcasing athletes.
“Our students are always excited to participate in the Special Olympics Unidos Games because it allows them to show their parents and the community all that they can do,” said Dr. Antoinette Howard, director of Curriculum and Instruction, Special Education and Special Services. “These athletes spend countless hours practicing with their coaches. This event brings the EPISD community together to celebrate the abilities of these athletes and inspires them to want to go out there and do their very best.”
EPISD, which has hosted the Unidos Games for the past three years, did not want COVID to prevent the athletes from participating.
“It is important that we continue to provide students with the opportunity to showcase their abilities, talents, and skills even during this unprecedented time,” Howard said. “Participation in the virtual Unidos Games shows students that when obstacles are present there are ways to safely navigate the process to obtain their goals. We want students to know that anything is possible and there are no limits to what they can achieve.”
Howard hopes students get outside and start training and having fun in anticipation of the games.
“Let’s make it an EPISD Family Affair,” she added.
Check out photos of last year’s Special Olympics Unidos Games in the EPISD Photo Gallery.
