On Wednesday, April 13 some members of the Tunstall Senior Beta Club traveled to George Washington High School to help with Virginia’s Special Olympics, Area 7 Spring Games: Track and Field.

Founded in 1968, the Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organization for children and adults with disabilities. With over 4.5 million participants and locations in 170 different countries, Special Olympic competitions take place every day at local, national, and regional levels.

After arriving at George Washington High School, the Tunstall students who volunteered were put to work. Many were assigned to be “buddies” where they “were basically assigned to a student from a certain school and we followed them and hung out with them all day,” said junior Matthew Fulcher. Matthew’s buddy participated in the 50 Meter Run for males and the Softball Throw. Matthew said his favorite part of the day was seeing his buddy’s face when he placed first in the Softball Throw.

Other volunteers, like Clay Hardy, helped the children who placed 1st, 2nd, or 3rd up onto the podiums to receive their ribbons. Clay, a freshman at Tunstall, said that the experience “helps you realize how blessed you are and how much we take for granted.”

Twenty-six Tunstall students volunteered and all who were interviewed said they were definitely volunteering again next year and would encourage other students to volunteer as well. “I felt like it was eye opening, it makes you appreciate what you have,” said junior Tyler Campbell.

Beta Club sponsor, Ms. Brittany Adkins, “I thought the kids had a wonderful time. It was very special for me to see my Tunstall students interact with the participants. I thought it was a valuable experience and I look forward to doing it again.”