The KHS Guidance Department is currently preparing for the arrival of the Special Olympics Feb. 29, in The David Holley Assembly Hall.

Over 200 athletes with disabilities from around the St. Louis area will participate in basketball-related events including individual skills, team skills, regulation and modified basketball games.

KHS boys’ and girls’ basketball players will keep score and referee the events, which will take place in both Denver Miller and David Holley Assembly Hall. Each athlete will be guided by at least one KHS volunteer student who will work with their assigned “buddy” throughout the day. Due to a high number of applications turned in by students to participate in the event, the Guidance Department is limiting volunteers to seniors and juniors with a few select sophomores. A training session for the event will be held by a Special Olympics coordinator during homeroom Feb. 22.

KHS is responsible for funding the event, including costs of t-shirts for the athletes, games and activities held in the “Olympic Village” located in the health rooms and ribbons for all participants. Athletes will begin to arrive by bus at 9:40 a.m for opening ceremonies and head home around 1 p.m. Teachers and aids from the athletes’ schools will also be present to assist volunteers.

Schools that host Special Olympic events typically receive up to a one year notice before the event, but due to the number of Missouri athletes participating, KHS was added as a host school with only seven weeks notice. KHS has little time to fundraise for the event, but the Guidance Department is confident all will run smoothly.

“[The Special Olympics] is an experience students can’t necessarily have in any other way.” Amber Lutz, guidance counselor, said. “This is a two way learning experience.”