GGUSD Special Needs Students Performed Olympic Feats at Special Games

Crowd encouraging special needs kids in special games.

Approximately 600 Garden Grove Unified School District (GGUSD) students with special needs competed in Olympic-style events at the 48th annual Special Games on June 9 at Bolsa Grande High School.  The event is hosted by the GGUSD Adapted Physical Education Department and the Special Olympics of Southern California.

“The Special Games puts a spotlight on what students with special needs can do and provides a fun, positive environment for students to show off their athleticism,” said Dina Nguyen, Board of Education trustee.   

The Special Games kicked off at 9:00 a.m. with the National Anthem and a torch run/relay.  Approximately 600 athletes from 22 GGUSD schools participated, along with 450 general education students who help host the sporting events and cheer for the athletes.  Some of the Olympic events included the 50-meter dash, 100-meter dash, softball toss, soccer kick, football throw, volleyball, and much more. 

All GGUSD High School ASB programs, along with cheerleaders from Santiago High School, Los Amigos Buddies, Rancho Alamitos Buddies, and the Bolsa Grande High School Band, helped support the event.