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District 54 to host Partners Club/Young Athletes Track Meet May 15, 2008

School District 54 is getting ready to host its single largest event of the year – the annual Partners Club/Young Athletes track meet.

The event will begin with opening ceremonies at 10 a.m. on the track behind Eisenhower Junior High School, 800 W. Hassell Road in Hoffman Estates.

Events will take place until 12:30 p.m. followed by lunch for all athletes, their partners and volunteers. The meet will be cancelled in case of inclement weather.

“The Young Athletes portion of the meet is going to be exciting. This is the biggest Young Athletes culminating event held in the world” said Jennifer Marcello, Special Olympics Illinois, Manager of Young Athletes. “There will be over 1,000 District 54 students, staff and volunteers participating in this day.”

Partners Club is based at several District 54 schools and includes students with disabilities with their non-disabled peers. This program creates social opportunities for Special Olympics athletes while educating mainstream students about different disabilities, thus creating interest in and a greater acceptance of individuals with disabilities. The students participate in activities all year together, including this track meet each spring.

Special Olympics created the Young Athletes program for children ages 2 to 7 as a means of welcoming children into the world of Special Olympics. The Young Athletes program is an innovative sports play program for children with intellectual disabilities, designed to introduce them to the world of sports. The activities help the children improve physically, cognitively and socially, all while raising awareness of the Special Olympics program and serving as an introduction to the resources and support available within Special Olympics.