Special Olympics Southern Region Held at West Hills High School

On May 16, 2026, athletes with special needs competed in the 2026 South Regional Special Olympics at West Hills High School in Santee, California. The event had several sports, including basketball, flag football, and swimming.

But the day was about more than winning medals. It brought athletes, families, volunteers, and supporters together to meet new people, make friends, and celebrate the competitors.

Several people at the event shared what the Special Olympics means to them, including Joe Hreish, a flag football player for the Laguna Hills Hawks. Joe said the Special Olympics is a great experience because athletes get to have fun and meet new people. Joe plays both offense and defense, and he was excited because his team had a strong chance to win.

This was Chloe Petcharaporn’s first year running the Special Olympics event. She said her favorite part was seeing families come together, meet new people, and make new friendships. Chloe also shared that she has family members with special needs, which made the event especially meaningful to her.

Events like this also rely on many volunteers, community supporters, and sponsors who help make the day possible. Groups like the Santee Community Foundation, Knights of Columbus, CarMax, Kiwanis Club of Santee, GT Independence, Cortica, and many more helped support the athletes and the event.