Rows of students, parents and teachers line both sides of the entrance to the Greene Middle School field, carving it into a living tunnel of volunteers. Hands clap and cheers fill the atmosphere as waves of athletes from schools across the Bay Area pour onto the grass, wide-eyed and smiles shining.
As they run through the pathway of applause, a day of fun competition and athletic prowess await those who would normally not be able to compete in sporting events.
The tunnel-like entrance marks the start of Greene Middle School’s annual Special Olympics, a day-long event that brings athletes with disabilities onto the school’s field to participate in a variety of sports.
On this day, students’ typical class schedules are replaced by sporting events and games designed so that all athletes can shine and show off their skills.
Although these athletes are not competing on a world stage, the spirit of Greene’s Special Olympics echoes the same idea as the Paralympic Games. Athletic greatness is measured not by limitations, but by what they are able to accomplish. This same idea is embodied at Greene, where additionally each spectators pride and enthusiasm is evident and the athletes are incredibly joyful to be able to participate in such a unique experience.
Though the Paralympics are televised on global platforms, it is clear that the spirit of sports is not found in huge stadiums. Rather, it’s found in smaller communities where friends of participants become fans for the day and the athletes are recognized not for the amount of medals they have, but instead for their effort and bravery.
Students, parent volunteers, and coaches morph into coaches and fans cheering for the athletes, creating a large sense of inclusivity and support throughout the community.
Behind the scenes of this day is Specal Olympics Northern California (SONC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting unity and empowering children and adults with intellectual disabilities, both on and off the field. SONC partners with PAUSD to make these district-wide events come to life. They provide the resources needed to turn Greenes Field into multiple competition spaces. Their prowess ensures every event maintains professionalism while balancing joy with inclusion in respect to its physical aspect.
Before the first race starts or the first goal has been scored, hours of preparation happen behind the scenes. The fields are set up carefully and volunteers gather to go over the schedule for the day, making sure everything runs smoothly and more importantly, to make sure each kid has the best experience possible.
Program supporter and Medical Consultant Doctor Randall Vagelos watches the event unfold from the sidelines, seeing the athletes light up on the field in ways they rarely can in classrooms.
“The special olympians were super excited,” Dr. Vagelos said. “The effort is always to make these kids feel as normal and as accepted as they can be.”
Many of these kids rarely get to see themselves as the center of attention or involved in organized sports, making this event an opportunity for students to express themselves and their athletic abilities.
“When they came off the bus and ran through that line of balloons cheering, it’s like they’re at the end of the Olympic Marathon, you know, they’re the winners,” Dr. Vagelos said.
Part of what makes this day so special for the athletes is that nobody loses and everyone gets to be a winner. But this doesn’t at all deter the athletes. They all still play very competitively and seriously, whether it’s soccer or track. That competitive fire lights up the field regardless of not having a scoreboard.
Greene leadership teacher Joleen Roach, who helps coordinate the event, said the energy rises the moments the games begin.
“There’s so much excitement and joy in the students and the adults,” Roach said.
“It means just as much for the Olympian kids as it does for the non-Olympian kids,” Dr. Vagelos said. “How often are you doing something at school for someone else’s benefit, not your own?”
Additionally, for many students watching from the sidelines, the event helped change how they view their classmates.
Greene Middle School 8th grader Elle McComas attended as a fan and interacted with many athletes.
“Everyone seemed more friendly,” McComas said. “After the Olympics, people were more patient and more willing to include each other in activities.”
Additionally, Greene Middle School 8th grader Gabriela Herbert-Paz has also witnessed the difference that this day makes for the school and its community.
“The students feel more connected to each other and I’ve noticed some new friendships that may not have happened without this,” Herbert-Paz said.
Even Greene students who did not participate or volunteer at the event see the difference it makes throughout the entire school community. For athletes who normally hear negative chatter as opposed to cheers, this feels amazing for them as they are able to be their full selves without the threat of judgment lingering over them.
“Most of them are very aware when people are snickering at them,” Dr. Vagelos said. “And here, this is a situation where people are really celebrating what they are doing.”
Physical education teacher and event volunteer Aimee Becker recalled that the Olympics create a sense of comfort and belonging for these athletes.
“They get to be with kids that are much more like them mentally and or physically,” Becker said. “So that becomes their own little enclave.”
This event truly has a lasting impact on the lives of these athletes. Although it’s a one-day event, these athletes look forward to this day months in advance and tend to carry forward their experiences for life.
“The patients I see look forward to these events like it’s the best thing that happens to them over the course of the year, and they love it,” Dr. Vagelos said.
Not only do these memories stick with athletes for years to come, but they also make a huge difference in how students and special education students interact with one another.
“The students feel more connected to each other and I’ve noticed a lot of new friendships that have been formed that may not have happened without this event,” Herbert-Paz said.
For one day, athletes who keep their arms tucked by their side turned a new leaf, raising their arms high. Kids who heard laughter got their names chanted. Special education students became the stars under the arches.
The Greene Special Olympics is more than just a game, it’s a field where every movement is celebrated. Kids who are usually quite shy are the stars and center of attention.
While the balloons are removed and the fields return to normal, the impact of the Greene Special Olympics continues. A deep sense of empathy is left, as well as a better understanding of inclusion. This special day serves as a reminder that when communities choose to be empathic towards everyone, the effects can last well beyond one afternoon.
“It’s something like Christmas morning, or a wedding,” Roach said. “It’s something you would just want to catch in a bottle.”
