400 Special Olympics Athletes Take Part In Contra Costa Event

BRENTWOOD, CA — More than 400 student-athletes recently hit the Heritage High School football field in Brentwood for the annual Special Olympics Schools Partnership Program Soccer event. Throughout a busy morning and early afternoon Nov. 14, student-athletes ranging from kindergarten age to transition — 18 to 22 years old — took part in either soccer-game competition or soccer-skill drills.

"The day was filled with plenty of determination, encouragement, and celebration in achievement – plus a lot of smiles," said Jonathan Lance, spokesman for the Contra Costa County Office of Education.

In addition to hosting the event, Heritage High School offered volunteers and had its marching band and cheer squad perform.

Student-athletes from participating East County special education classes came from: Krey, Los Medanos, and Marsh Creek, Mary Casey Black elementary schools; Adams, Bristow, Edna Hill, Hillview, Martin Luther King, Edna Hill, O’Hara Park, Park, and Rancho Medanos middle schools; Antioch, Deer Valley, Freedom, Gateway, Heritage, and Liberty high schools; and Dear Valley CBI, Gateway, and Liberty high schools/transition schools.

Sherri Roberti, who is CCCOE's Special Olympics Schools Partnership Program coordinator, organized the soccer event, as well as one held Oct. 25 at Concord High School.

Throughout the year, Roberti also coordinates two Special Olympics Track & Field events and two Special Olympics Basketball Programs — all of which are held in Contra Costa County.

The Special Olympics Northern California Schools Partnership Program is a unique education program in K-12 schools, according to CCCOE.

"It unifies students with and without disabilities through sports and whole-school involvement activities that provide them with the knowledge, experience, and skills necessary to create and sustain school communities that promote inclusion, acceptance, and respect for all students," Lance said.