Music and cheers drifted from the Corporate Landing Middle School track during the Meet in the Middle Special Olympics competition.
Students from the city's 10 middle schools visited the campus last week for the event, which is now in its fourth year.
Students with disabilities and their general education peer buddies partnered to compete and celebrate.
“It's been a great opportunity to, one, really highlight the abilities of our friends with disabilities, really show our schools, and help our students without disabilities to understand these kids are great,” said Rob Mages, the lead adaptive P.E. teacher for Virginia Beach City Public Schools.
The partners work together for about six weeks before the field day. They practice for various competitions, such as the 50-meter dash, distance throwing or the obstacle course, Mages’ favorite event.
Other stations were for celebrating with a dance party or decompressing with yoga.
This was the second Meet in the Middle event for Brayden Deutsch, his father, Eric Deutsch, said. Brayden, who has a genetic disorder and is nonverbal and wheelchair bound, loves being outside, participating in the activities and hanging out with his peers.
“It gives the other kids a chance too to learn about the special needs kids and gain appreciation for their skills and personalities,” Eric Deutsch said. “It's a great opportunity for, like, kids of all different abilities to get together and just kind of have fun and enjoy each other and learn about each other.”
Meet in the Middle and other Special Olympics events are important to Virginia Police Department Lt. Adam Berstein. He’s worked with Special Olympics through the Law Enforcement Torch Run for about 25 years.
Last year, he carried the Torch of Hope in Italy for the Winter Special Olympics. And he carried one again for the Meet in the Middle opening ceremonies.
“It's just such a great group of individuals to be around, and I'm very proud to be part of this community,” he said. “Our main mission is about awareness and inclusion. It's a day for the kids to feel normal, to get out here like all their peers in school where they have a field day.”
Virginia Beach City Public Schools is a member of the Hampton Roads Educational Telecommunications Association, which holds WHRO’s license.
