The stands at the Student Activities Complex buzzed with excitement as teachers, families and volunteers gathered to support 1,200 student-athletes participating in the 37th annual SISD Spring Games in memory of James P. Butler in March.
“I feel excited and nervous at the same time,” said Emiliano Betancourt, a fifth-grader at Robert R. Rojas Elementary School who was waiting to compete in the 100-meter wheelchair race.
His mom, Elizabeth Horta, said the Spring Games was one of her son’s favorite events because it allowed him to connect with other students, showcase his abilities and feel included in the community.
“This is one of the most important events for him because he gets to, you know, compete and just show his strengths that he's been acquiring throughout the school year with therapy, with the adaptive coaches, so he’s excited,” Horta said.
For over 30 years, the Spring Games has provided students with special needs from elementary, middle, and high schools across the district the opportunity to showcase their athletic talents in 270 track and field events. The event not only highlights their abilities but also fosters inclusion within Socorro ISD.
“I've been a part of this event now for 15 years, and it just gets better and better every year,” said Melissa Olivarez, SISD director of Special Education. “Our staff are great at putting this together, and it's all for the benefit of our students. We love to see when they cross that finish line or even just walk through the parade. Their faces and the enthusiasm that they have, make everything we do worthwhile.”
Elementary students competed in the morning, while middle school and high school students competed in the afternoon. Both sessions kicked off with a mini parade that celebrated the athletes, along with SISD administrators, teachers, staff and volunteers.
Simon Barron, a seventh-grader at Hurshel Antwine Middle School, celebrated with his teachers at the medal stand after winning his race for a second year in a row. He won first place in the 100-meter foot race.
“To win first, it feels very refreshing, Barron said. “It makes me very happy.”
Athletes who participated in the SISD event were eligible to compete in the area Special Olympics Spring Games and other year-round sports at the city and statewide levels.
Andrew Judge, an SISD educational diagnostician, has volunteered at Spring Games for the past five years. He said the best part about the games is seeing the athletes cross the finish line with big smiles on their faces.
“We spend so much time in the classroom with them, you don’t see this side of it,” Judge said. You see them smile when they learn things, but it’s just a different type of joy watching them when they cross the finish line with a smile on their faces. That’s what it’s all about.”