In the days following Special Olympics, Instagram floods with photos of “Buddies” smiling next to their athletes. Buddies are student volunteers who help and support their partnered Special Olympics...
Claire Smout, AWARDS COORDINATOR
• October 6, 2017
Last school year, over 500 students volunteered in Special Olympics. Although more students applied, the administration had to cap the number of participants because of space issues. This year, as a solution,...
Five hundred volunteers. Two hundred athletes. And countless hours all poured into one memorable event on Feb. 13: Special Olympics 2017.
“Every year, the number of participants in Special Olympics...
Nell Jaskowiak, OPINIONS AND ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
• March 1, 2016
On Feb. 22, hundreds of students from West High and across the St. Louis area converged on the main gym, clad in bright purple, green, yellow, red and salmon shirts. Over 400 West High volunteers worked at this year’s Special Olympics, with positions in Victory Village, as unified players, buddies and buddy captains.
![During a game of cornhole, junior Aliza Schroeder celebrates with her buddy after making her bean bag through the board. Cornhole was one of many games offered in Victory Village. “We liked the activities in the Victory Village. We had a lot of fun playing the games, and she was really excited when she did well. We had fun celebrating. It’s important to be inclusive, involved [and] be excited to celebrate,” Schroeder said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/DSC_9749-1200x800.jpg)
![Celebrating in Victory Village during Special Olympics, junior Caitlin Brandmill and her buddy Franchesca Chevalie decorate a paper bag to hold her crafts, like necklaces and slime. Brandmill wanted to participate in the Special Olympics because she thought it was an excellent opportunity to make an impact in the Parkway community. “I loved all of it. I had so much fun getting to know Franchesca and all the kids in our group,” Brandmill said. “My favorite part was making slime, but also basketball was fun because a lot of the athletes were getting into [the activity].”](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/DSC_0157-1-900x600.jpg)
![Junior and cheerleader Tori Fischer hugs a Special Olympics athlete during the opening ceremony last year. Throughout the basketball tournament, cheerleaders encourage athletes from the side of the court. “Cheering for Special Olympics is honestly one of my favorite things I get to do during the school year,” Fischer said. “At normal games, we have to stay in formations and do planned cheers and people are so used to us that [it] doesn't get people excited. But at Special Olympics a lot of the athletes get excited when they hear us cheering for them and we can cheer them on in a totally relaxed and more personal way.”](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/DSC_0024-900x600.jpg)
