More than 550 Socorro Independent School District students lined up on the track at the SAC to take part in the annual Special Olympic Games hosted by the District on April 11, 2007.  With parents, teachers, principals and cheerleaders waving them to victory, representatives from 36 SISD schools showed off their athletic abilities in 135 track and field event.  This is the seventh year Socorro ISD has organized a District wide Special Olympics. Socorro is the only school district in El Paso to host its own Special Olympics.

“Our students look forward to it because they see other children they haven’t seen for while,” says Susan Kelch, SISD Director of Special Ed. “It’s a fun and happy event. Parents are there and the community comes out to support our kids.”

The event is open to athletes from 3 to 22-years-old who are enrolled in Socorro ISD.  Athletes compete in various track and field events including walk/runs, relays, wheelchair races and tricycle events.

Socorro ISD Superintendent Dr. Sylvia P. Atkinson was on hand to welcome the crowd and praise the special education staff,  teachers, coaches, parents, and volunteers that continue to support our special students. “These children are an inspiration to all of us,” says Dr. Atkinson. “They give their best every minute of the day. Seeing the pure joy on their faces as they compete reminds each and every one of us why we are educators.  I am proud of our Special Education Department for taking the lead in the city to sponsor an event that does so much for these kids.”

About half of the students who participated in the SISD Special Olympics will go on to participate in El Paso’s Regional Special Olympics on April 26, 27 & 28th.

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