For the 10th consecutive year, The Special Olympics State Aquatics Championships have been held at the North County Regional Park in Sebastian. During the day athletes enthusiastically swim lane after lane to win the gold medal but on Saturday night the competition soars to another level with the opening ceremonies held in the Sebastian River High School gym.
Sebastian River Athletic Director Michael Stutzke works with a team of student volunteers who create a heartfelt welcome for some extraordinary athletes. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to reach a very special group of young people that are as dedicated as any athlete you will find at the high school level.”Stutzke said. “With our theatre techs we set up the gymnasium, we work closely with the folks in culinary preparing the meals, and we set up the campus to welcome these folks after their Saturday competition.”
Sebastian River High School and the student volunteers also prepare the gym to host a dance for the 350-plus athletes and family members that follows the opening ceremony. Nancy Sawyer, Senior Vice President of Special Olympics Florida, said Sebastian River is one of the most outstanding support groups in all of the Florida competitions. “The high school is phenomenal with their theatre group and the student volunteers,” Sawyer said. “Our athletes love it here because they feel like they’re with family. It’s a very good feeling.”
As the athletes and their families dance the night away, Stutzke and his small army of students plan for the cleaning up and reassembling the gym long after everyone has gone home.
“Sebastian River High School like any high school – in my humble opinion – should make itself available for these types of events,” Stutzke said. “This is there night. When I head home at the end of the evening it feels good to [have given back]. That’s what we do.”
