The Hornets swarmed the track at Carman-Ainsworth Middle School on Friday, May 20, as volunteers for the Special Olympics.

This event has been going on for over 30 years, and it is an honor to attend. Students are asked to volunteer at the event by their teachers.

Sophomore Jonathon Conley enjoyed helping out at the Special Olympics as he said it was an honor to be chosen in such a unforgettable event.

“I was thrilled when I was chosen to take part in (volunteering at) the Special Olympics,” Conley said. “This was an experience I will never forget.”

I, Makalia Jenkins, also volunteered, and I really enjoyed it.

During the event, Special Olympics ribbons were given to the winners of the races.

For me this was a great experience due to the fact that I grew up with my uncle who had Down syndrome, and I recently lost him. This event allowed me to reminisce about the memories I long to cherish.

I was a “hugger” at the end of the race. This meant that I congratulated the winners of the races and high-fived each person so that they recognized they had won.

For junior Erin Craig, this was an inspirational event that she will never forget and that she believes has determined that she would like to work with special needs children.

“It was such an incredible event, and it allowed me to see things differently and see people differently,” Craig said. “I truly believe this event decided my career.”

Craig was honored to be chosen to help out, along with Conley, by Mr. Ed Councilor, social studies teacher.

“It was an honor to be chosen,” Craig said. “I got to see my cousin and it made me very excited to see her, and I think she was excited to see me too.”

Councilor and Mrs. Lisa Diener, special education teacher, played a big role in the making of this event.

They took care of getting volunteers and making this event possible  for KHS students to go and will do so again next year.