05/24/2024
Mr. Bowlin: This is going to be a tough post for me to make. I have greatly enjoyed coaching Special Olympics at Ozark ever since I first accompanied the kids and Mrs. Meredith Stewart to Summer Games back in 2019 after Mr. Burns recommended it. This experience was the first thing that made me want to become a special education teacher. Since then I’ve helped with Unified Basketball, Flag Football, Esports, and some of the others when I had time. Whether it was for trips to State Basketball Tournaments (even though we came up short each time), long days on a track or field, or one of the many afternoons in a computer lab, I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. Coaching and volunteering with Special Olympics has been one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made. These kids have impacted me in ways that just can’t be achieved any other way. Seeing how excited and determined they get when learning something new, winning a game, or getting a medal is priceless. If you’ve ever considered volunteering with Special Olympics or sports in general, I highly recommend it. Reach out, get involved, and promote inclusion. I’ll be starting a new job next year, and I will miss these kids greatly. Our Traditional teams, Unified teams, and Partners will continue to be in great hands with Mrs. Meredith’s leadership, and I want to thank her for all she does for the students at Ozark! Thank you to the parents, Ozark School staff, and the numerous student and adult volunteers that help make this thing go! Looking forward to seeing Ozark Special Olympics and Unified Partners continue to keep doing great things!
