Nebo School District and Maple Mountain High held the annual Super Stars Track and Field Day on Tuesday, May 4, 2023. This is not any ordinary track and field event. It is held for “Super Stars”--Nebo’s special needs students.
Dave Boyack, Athletic Director at Maple Mountain High, proposed this annual track meet and is responsible for getting it started. He has a lot of help from others including Tasha Lewis, special education teachers, coaches, and the Nebo School District Special Education Department. Darrell Wyatt announced the various track and field events.
Boyack said, “This track and field day is an amazing opportunity for the Maple Mountain High students in physical education classes and athletics to serve these incredible kids in Nebo School District. It is touching to see the smiles on all the faces of these ‘Super Star’ participants.”
This event pairs special-needs students throughout the school district with student mentors to participate in track and field events. Most of the Maple Mountain High student mentors who were helping at the Super Stars track meet participate in sports at Maple Mountain High, and some are elite athletes. The high school athletes serve as buddies and mentors during the events, which include 50, 100, 200, and 400 meter races; a 400 meter wheelchair race, long jump, high jump, and softball throw to name a few.
Indeed, there was nothing but cheering, high-fives, and fist-bumps all around. It didn’t matter what you did or where you finished, students held hands, hugged, cheered, and ran alongside. The Super Stars especially enjoy getting the special medals laced around their neck–for some, this was a first.
Tasha Lewis, special education district-level specialist and co-organizer of the event, said, “The Nebo District special classes were able to enjoy our annual Super Stars track meet. Elementary, middle, and junior high special classes were paired off with Maple Mountain High School students to run, throw softballs, high jump and long jump. This event is always our favorite and we thank everyone involved to make it happen.”
Special Education Director, Alicia Rudd, said, “It is inspiring to see the general education high school students helping our special needs students. As these high school students serve with devotion, I notice they have the biggest smiles ever on their faces. These types of events bring an awareness and appreciation for each other and a genuine happiness and love. I am so grateful for events like this.”
One of the highlights of the day was the wheelchair race, where participants in wheelchairs lined up around the track and took a lap around it, pushed by their mentors.
“This is just a great way for our kids to give back,” said Dave Boyack, athletic director, at Maple Mountain High. “It’s great for our athletes to take a moment to help other kids feel special and do something physical that our athletes get to do all the time. It’s a perfect way to honor others. This community always takes care of us.”
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