Special education students throughout the William S. Hart Union High School District joined together for the 14th annual Hart Games at Valencia High School on Monday morning.
The energy was high and the heart and unity were felt throughout Valencia High School’s stadium as several hundred students jumped hurdles, ran the relay races, performed high jumps or threw a shot-put.
Patti Miller, director of the Hart Games, was smiling from ear-to ear watching the athletes and said that she wanted to give the students an opportunity to do something like their peers – which is why she chose to create a track-and-field meet rather than basketball or soccer.
“When you realize that, that their counterparts, their peers are doing things, and that they can’t participate in. You know, as an adapted PE teacher, I had to do something,” Miller said.
Miller said the day is a beautiful thing because when attendees see the opening ceremony lap, it is a reminder.
“It’s a reminder to the community that there’s more out here, there’s more people, and also, just to love on our people, love on our special needs, people that don’t always get that recognition,” Miller said.
Miller said she also wanted to take a moment to thank all of the volunteers for their help in making the event come alive.
Sabrina Diamos, an adult transition program student at Golden Valley High School, said that Benson Boone’s song “Mystical, Magical” gets her pumped up for her events.
“I just did the javelin, and boy, oh my God, I’m very strong. It’s just, I just … like before I threw it, I always say something like, I said like a song lyric, ‘mystical, magical.’ … He pumps me up a lot. He pumps me up a lot,” Diamos said.
She added that she was feeling emotional because it was her last Hart Games before graduating.
Ellie Cox, a senior at Valencia High School, was excited to do the hurdles and said they were her favorite.
“I was practicing and they’re just so amazing because like I just love the adrenaline it gives you. You just get to run and jump,” Cox said.
Cox said it was her first Hart Games and decided to participate because she was a senior.
“I wanted to get a part of it because I knew, I know I’m graduating this year, so I know it’s, I didn’t want to miss out on this opportunity because I love working together with my peers, and I love talking and competing, and I think it’s really amazing to be a part of such a nice, nice event that the school puts on,” Cox said.
Joanna White, director of special education at the Hart district, said that the event was a great way to let the students shine.
“We’re looking at a group of students that struggle sometimes. And so, what a wonderful avenue for them to shine and to find a place where they can just be at their very best,” White said.
She added that the event proves there is a place for everyone to thrive.
“Just that there’s possibility. That there is just a place, like I said before, just a place for everyone, and we will find a way. And just like them, jumping over those hurdles, sometimes they have rules to jump over. But you know what? They do, and it’s just, just, feels so fortunate to be alongside any of them,” White said.
