Photos by HHS student Graeme MacDougall
More than 60 Special Olympics athletes from Muskoka high schools participated in the recent Huntsville High School Winter Fest. Co-chairs of the event, Maddie Buck and Jeremiah Martin, built a day of fun to bring students together as a community while being active. The event, held at Arrowhead Provincial Park on Thursday, January 9, “was an outstanding success,” said Buck.
Following the opening ceremonies, athletes participated in a variety of races including 50m and 100m Sitski (50m and 100m), Snowshoeing (100m Low, 100m Medium, 100m Advanced, 400m Low, and 400m Advanced), and Sledge (50m and 100m).
“These Special Olympians were able to overcome challenges and try new activities they have never seen before,” said Buck.
After a morning of fun and challenging events, the athletes, event coordinators and volunteers paused for some laughs and lunch provided by Huntsville High School hospitality students and teacher Steve Spiers.
At the end of the day, the group gathered to celebrate the best results at the closing ceremonies.
“This event allowed the athletes to make new friends and build stronger friendship with people around Muskoka,” Buck said.
HHS Winter Fest co-chair Maddie Buck (centre) with Lauren Hooey (left) and Sara Russell (Graeme MacDougall)
A grade 11 student from Huntsville High School said, “I would do it again because it’s fun and you get to meet new people.”
Another student, Brandan Cameron, from Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School said, “I would do it again because I had fun. I liked my friends cheering me on.”
Results for the Huntsville High School students who participated included:
Sitski Low/Medium:
Matthew Woodman (HHS) 2nd Place
Kelly Miller (HHS) 3rd Place
Raymond Joudrey (HHS) 6th Place
Mike Mason (HHS) 8th Place
Sitski High/Advanced:
Matthew Woodman (HHS) 4th Place
Jordan Tippett (HHS) 7th Place
Maddie Krause (HHS) 8th Place
Snowshoe Low 50m:
Mike Mason (HHS) 2nd Place
Kelly Miller (HHS) 3rd Place
Snowshoe Medium 100m:
Jordan Tippett (HHS) 2nd Place
Maddie Krause (HHS) 3rd Place
Matthew Woodman (HHS) 5th Place
Sledge 50m:
Matthew Woodman (HHS) 3rd Place
Sledge 100m:
Maddie Krause (HHS) 3rd Place
Kelly Miller (HHS) 5th Place
Jordan Tippett (HHS) 6th Place
Buck said that all of the athletes enjoyed themselves. “It was heart-warming to see all the smiles throughout the day.”
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