Two upcoming Special Olympics events will give Henrico students chance to compete alongside peers

Two spring events will give Henrico students with disabilities a chance to compete alongside their nondisabled peers. The two competitions – one each for elementary and middle school students – feature track and field events and other outdoor activities. High school students will serve as volunteers for the competitions.

The two annual Henrico competitions, coordinated by Special Olympics Virginia, are:

• Little Feet Meet (elementary schools): May 1, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (rain date May 3) at J.R. Tucker High School, 2910 N. Parham Road
• Meet in the Middle (middle schools): May 2, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (rain date May 4)at the Collegiate School, 103 North Mooreland Road

Admission to the events is free. The public is invited to come cheer on and celebrate the participants.

More than 1,000 athletes and their partners from HCPS elementary schools are expected to attend Little Feet Meet; more than 300 students with and without disabilities from HCPS middle schools are expected to attend the middle school event.

The events are part of the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools initiative, which seeks to create a day of fun, collaboration and inclusion among students who may not spend time together in classes. The initiative seeks to give students with and without disabilities the opportunity to train together, to create friendships and to foster mutual respect.