By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – Pelham City Schools and Alabaster City Schools teamed up for the annual Pelham/Alabaster United Track & Field event on Friday, April 11.

Hosted by PCS and ACS, the Special Olympics event brought together student-athletes from across Shelby County for a day of competition and camaraderie. The event featured special needs students from Pelham Oaks Elementary, Pelham Ridge Elementary, Pelham Park Middle School and Pelham High School, as well as students from Meadowview Elementary, Thompson Intermediate, Thompson Middle and Thompson High School.

The day featured an opening ceremony parade, with each school group being honored. Student-led torch escorts from Thompson High School and Pelham High presented the event’s torch. Furthermore, members of the Pelham Police Department ran alongside the students, supporting the mission of the Special Olympics.

Lana Tew, the director of special education for PCS, emphasized the joy surrounding the event.

“Anyone who attends this incredible event walks away feeling better,” Tew said. “The joy on the faces of the athletes is absolutely contagious and has a way of making even an ordinary day feel extraordinary. What’s truly special is the way the student-athletes cheer for one another, celebrating each other’s victories with genuine excitement. On this day, everyone wins.”

Tew said that a special element of the event is the contribution of student buddies from Alabaster and Pelham City Schools who volunteer their time and energy to support the athletes participating in the event.

“Whether they’re running alongside them in races, helping with the tennis ball toss or offering support in countless small ways throughout the day, these buddies are a shining example of compassion in action,” Tew said. “Watching these students connect, support and lift each other up is a powerful reminder of the impact of inclusion. It nurtures not just teamwork, but also a deep sense of empathy and respect for individuals with disabilities. It truly is a day where hearts grow bigger and communities grow stronger.”

Tew concluded by conveying her hopes for the impact of the event.

“Our hope is that, above all, this event serves as a reminder that everyone has a place to belong,” Tew said. “Each person deserves to be valued for who they are, and we should always celebrate one another’s uniqueness. Whether through the cheers of victory or the helping hands of peers, these moments remind us of the power of inclusion and the joy that comes from supporting each other. Let’s continue to carry this message forward- where everyone belongs, and every individual is cherished.”