The Rampage Spring 2019

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Special Olympics BC Students Host Event B luefield College students spent the day in activities and recreation with special needs kids, February 2, as part of a Special Olympics event in the BC Dome Gymnasium that served as a kickoff for Special Olympics of Mercer County. by Matti Stokes Communication • 2021

Special Olympics event. Her role was to help with the softball throw, which she described as “super fun.” “My favorite part was seeing all the kids smile when they made a ball into the net,” Bailey said. “The rewarding feeling of the kids’ happiness is what made this all worth it.” Martin thanked Bluefield College and Coach Bailey for organizing the kickoff event, which Bailey said was “a great experience.”

“I’m so excited to be able to be back in the arena with these athletes,” said Shirley Martin, director of Mercer County Special Olympics, in an interview with the BC Public Relations Office. “Special Olympics of Mercer County, West Virginia, has been inactive far too long, and I am so happy and excited about our kickoff event at Bluefield College.” From 10 a.m. to around noon, kids ages 8 and up were able to play a handful of different sports and other activities, including cornhole, basketball, tennis, softball, and volleyball. Many student-athletes from Bluefield College volunteered to work the field day and spend time with the kids. Andrew Bailey, head coach of the Lady Rams softball team, organized the event, a first for the BC community. Senior softball player Mary Blake Avery of Newport News, VA, helped coach the kids and acted as mentor throughout the day. She described the event as a “good experience,” considering she had worked field days for special needs students before, but hadn’t had the chance to do so again since coming to college.

“Bluefield College is very excited to partner with Mercer County, West Virginia, to bring Special Olympics to our institution,” he added.

“It was nice to be able to volunteer with something like that again,” said Avery, who helped a young boy with cornhole and a girl with golfing. “My favorite part was seeing the smiles on their faces when they got to participate in the same sports I love.”

Sophomore Lauryn Bailey of Suffolk, VA, also served as a mentor for the

Coach Drew Bailey