For the past several years, River Ridge High School has hosted the Cherokee County Special Olympics. Peer facilitators and athletes flock from elementary, middle and high schools in the county to participate in this event. From the moment the athletes step off the bus, their accomplishments are celebrated by a fanfare of the River Ridge band, cheerleaders and volunteers. The opening ceremony includes singing the national anthem, reading the Olympic Oath and the ceremonial torch run, which leads into the variety of field events including football toss, bowling, obstacle courses and track, to name a few.
The pure joy and excitement on each and every athlete’s face is undeniable. More than 100 students at River Ridge give their time to help the event run smoothly and make every athlete’s day memorable. In fact, volunteer slots for this event are snatched up within hours of being posted, proving that this day gives as much joy to those serving as to those being served. It is the intent of the River Ridge student body to make a positive impact on the community. We are honored to host this event every year and eagerly anticipate how we can serve the special needs community in the future.
– Henry Fornuto, River Ridge 2019 class president and special olympics volunteer coordinator.
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