Lennon Manson, left, celebrates his medal in the Special Olympics bocce ball tournament while team partner, Keith Williams, offers support. The Northfield Middle High School put together a team of 14 students for Bocce Ball to compete in Vermont Special Olympics. Kids with special needs are teamed with students who do not have intellectual challenges and they become what are known as partners. The concept of Special Olympics Unified Sports was a concept developed in the 1980's to provide another level of challenge for higher ability athletes and to promote equality and inclusion. Presently, this idea encompasses nearly all Special Olympics sports and Unified Sports competitions are a part of Special Olympic World Games as well as local, state and national games in both the United States and Canada. This is the first year that Northfield has participated, fielding nine students in snowshoeing last winter and then, 14 competing in the bocce ball event this spring.

Photo courtesy Laurie Gossens