Viewfinder: MHS Students Host Special Olympics

More than 270 athletes from 20 area schools flocked to Mehlville High School for the 14th annual Special Olympics track meet.

The event, spearheaded by freshman principal Denise Driscoll, is entirely student-run and organized. A steering committee of 24 students were chosen through an application process and plan everything from concessions to games. 

Driscoll brought the Special Olympics to MHS after working at the Special School District. After the first few years' chaos, the event runs smoothly thanks to a well-picked group of students, she said. However, this Olympics marks the end of an era as Driscoll is retiring after the school year. 

"I'm sad," she said with heavy emotion. "But it's become a tradition at the high school, and no one will let it go."

Athletes especially appreciate the event, said Kerrie Townsend, the Special School District's Special Olympics facilitator. 

"It does more than an athletic component," she said. "It builds social skills and gives them an opportunity that they may not be able to get as part of a school's athletic team." 

The event at MHS is one of 15 throughout the year with sports ranging from baseball to soccer to bocce ball.

Mason Reynolds, an 8-year-old at Litzinger, ran in the relay race for the first time this year. 

"He's been training in gym and got up early this morning and picked out his whole outfit," his mother, Kim Reynolds said. "He's very excited."

After an opening ceremony with performances by students, three athletes carried the torch around the track, ending with Mehlville's Kelly Craig to light the faux flame, kicking off the games. 

Athletes could participate in various jumps, tosses and races and visit the Olympic Village to win prizes and climb inside a fire truck, provided by the Mehlville Fire Protection District.