Sulphur Springs ISD Special Games Day

Special Games Day brought a great crowd of youngsters to the Sulphur Springs High School gym, many for the first time, on Friday, Sept. 29. Most Sulphur Springs ISD campuses had teams of special needs students participating in a half-dozen different hands-on sports activities, assisted by SSHS student athletes, cheerleaders and drill team - many of whom are Key Club members. The action was accompanied by music from the SSHS Band and drumline, and the antics of mascot Wally the Wildcat.

The event is put on annually by the SSHS Key Club, dual-credit English teacher Mylissa Bailey said. “About 150 students total arrive on buses the morning of Special Games. They all wear Games Day t-shirts in the team color of their campus. Their teachers and assistants bring them in and get them seated in groups in the stands,” she said.

Approximately 150 SSHS Wildcats gather in the center of the gym before the games start, ready to perform as ‘buddies’ to the visitors while they compete, she noted.

Mylissa Bailey’s husband and fellow sponsor, Coach Joel Bailey, served as this year’s Special Games announcer.

Amber Warren, Art-1 teacher and Key Club sponsor, explained the types of games held.

“There’s a good variety of contests on the floor of the gym including scooter races, where the athletes scoot halfway across and back; and they also participate in situps, long jump, jump roping, and basketball and football throws. Each one participates to the level they can, and some require assistance. Some are in wheelchairs and have to be pushed. Our high school Key Club students who are there to help them really get involved and show a lot of excitement out there, too,” Warren said.

At the conclusion of the games, a ceremony is held.

“The cheerleaders line up and make a kind of victory tunnel, and the kids pass through in order by school and receive their medals from the cheerleaders and Wildcat players,” Warren explained. “They get extra love, cheers, high fives, and congratulations for a job well done. And they feel proud to be wearing their medals home.” When asked how long the Key Club Special Games Day tradition is, she replied, “We figured it up, and we think it’s been going on about 45 years here at SSHS.”

“Special Games Day is probably one of the most exciting things I do all year! And yet, there’s something more than the fun had by all. It’s good to see our Key Club students serve. The most exciting thing about Key Club is that everything we do is about service. Today was a good time for them to stop and reflect on how life is not always about them. They put aside their own agendas and just focused on the other kids. So, today was a great day of service and smiles. I’d like to add a big thank you to the local Kiwanis Club because they volunteered to prepare the meal for 300-plus people. They had a crew here early this morning setting up the Alliance Bank grill and organizing preparations. They also pay for everything, so Kiwanis renders an awesome service to our community,' stated Melissa Bailey.

“I was a student and a Key Club member here at SSHS. Special Games Day was an awesome event back then too. It brings happy memories to see all the high fives and fun, also to see our high schoolers giving back to the younger campuses, sharing the love and being one big Wildcat family today,” stated Joel Bailey.

(Above, right) Getting lined up and ready for action, SSISD primary competitors and their Wildcat buddies prepare for the jump rope competition