Friendship Field Day was a youth-led initiative held at Tavares Middle School in Florida that aimed to connect students with and without intellectual disabilities through fun, inclusive sports activities. The event featured stations like cornhole and football toss and provided opportunities for interaction and teamwork. AVID students served as Unified partners, helping Access students learn and enjoy each activity.
Youth Leaders Brooke Butts and Elizabeth Oden were inspired by their desire to make Special Olympics more visible and accessible to middle schoolers. With the encouragement of their mentor, Mrs. Metheny, they designed a program to spark new friendships and future involvement. Their goal was to build a bridge between general education students and Special Olympics athletes.
The field day included inclusive sports stations, a candy shop, and opportunities for celebration and bonding. Although a planned year-end event had to be changed due to logistical issues, the new activity was a huge success. Students learned from one another, and the Unified partners created a welcoming and supportive environment.
The project engaged 19 Special Olympics athletes, 21 students without ID, and introduced 10 new youth leaders, expanding programming at one Unified School. It also generated excitement for future Special Olympics involvement at the high school level. While social media impact was minimal, the in-person connections made a lasting difference.
Brooke and Elizabeth were most proud of how their efforts inspired and motivated younger students to participate in Unified programs. They learned to adapt quickly, especially when the original plan fell through, and grew in their event planning and public speaking skills. They plan to host more large-group inclusive events in the future to continue building momentum.