VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Elementary school athletes from across Hampton Roads are lacing up their sneakers to participate in the annual "Little Feet Meet."
The Special Olympics have teamed up with Tallwood High School to provide students with intellectual abilities the opportunity to participate in track and field events.
With more than 13 Virginia Beach elementary schools in attendance, students had the chance to play in various sensory and non-sensory-based activities. The purpose of the event is to spread an important message about diversity in schools, while also encouraging younger students to stay healthy and active.
Tysha Austin, southeast region director of the Special Olympics tells News 3, these events are important as it allows students to connect with one another.
"It's important because it creates inclusion and promotes diversity these kids just know each other as friends, they don't see disabilities and this is a day they can come out and have fun with their friend," said Austin.
The little athletes aren't the only ones who are being positively impacted. High school students have been working with these younger students months in advance; building both social and leadership skills.
Graduating high school senior, Shaun Gervase tells News 3, volunteering with the Special Olympics has been a very enriching process for him.
"They don't get opportunities like this all the time, you know for the most part they are around other people like them, other people with intellectual abilities so having others be around them and others who don't have those disabilities, encourage them and lift them up it's a blessing," said Gervase.
The Little Feet Meets will continue throughout the year with both a Norfolk and Suffolk date coming up in the next few months.
