‘Super Fun Day’ held at W.S. Neal
Published 9:31 pm Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Letequa Knight, center, a student at Escambia County High School, participated in the Ball Throw event at Friday’s Super Fun Day in Brewton. Walter Franklin, left, also a student at ECHS, was on hand throughout the day as a volunteer for the annual event. Taressa Garrett, right, a JDCC nursing student also volunteered for the event.|Photo by Lisa Tindell
With 90 students waiting to participate in special activities the Escambia County Super Fun Day kicked off last Friday morning on the campus of W.S. Neal High School.
The students participated in one or more of 16 events in areas of track and field and adaptive events.
Suzanne Barnett, supervisor of Special Education for Escambia County Schools, said the event is an annual one that has taken a twist this year from previous events.
“We decided to rename the event Super Fun Day,” Barnett said. “This way it isn’t about competition, but all about having fun.”
The creed for Super Fun Day has also changed from the creed formerly used by participants in Special Olympics. The creed “Let me have fun. Let me be a good friend. Let me remember, I am super just as I am!” was adopted for the 2011 events, Barnett said.
Volunteers on hand to assist included students from W.S. Neal High School, Escambia County High School, Flomaton High School and Jefferson Davis Community College.
Melanie Hines, a JDCC nursing student, said the event was one she was happy to be involved in this year.
“We’re having a blast,” Hines said. “We came out early and decorated with balloons, streamers and even some chalk art along the track. These kids are so sweet. There are a couple I’d like to take home with me.”
Hines said 34 students from JDCC’s nursing program were on hand to assist in any way possible.
“This is great for all of us,” Hines said. “We have been really looking forward to this. By participating here we are earning some clinical hour credits. It’s great that we can have fun while we earn credit.”
Barnett said students were given options on which events to participate in during the day.
“Some of the students chose which events they would be a part of based on what they enjoy doing,” Barnett said. “Some were also assigned events to participate in based on what they are best suited for and what they are most athletically inclined to do.”
Each participating was awarded a medal commemorating the events, Barnett said.
Students participating in the Super Fun Day came from all three schools at W.S. Neal, all schools from Flomaton, A.C. Moore Elementary, Rachel Patterson Elementary, Escambia County Middle and high schools in Atmore.
