More Than A Game
The Panther Olympics celebrates students and brings the district together
The fifth annual Panther Olympics was held at North
Crowley High School, giving the district’s students with
special needs an opportunity to compete in a variety of
events and activities. Overall, the day had more than
110 participants and 250 student volunteers.
“I tell our general education students to let it be all
about them,” NCHS Student Leadership teacher Laneece
Yarbough-Anderson said. “Let our olympians feel like
they want to conquer the world. It is one day out of the
entire year that is specifically for them, and they enjoy it
so much.”
The festivities started with opening ceremonies, the
national anthem and a parade of champions through the
hallways of NCHS. The olympians flashed big smiles as
they waved to cheering classmates and teachers.
“It’s not something you get to see every day,” NCHS
senior Lindsey Robledo said. “The fact that we get to come
together, put aside our differences and become one is really
cool to think about.”
While rainy weather pushed festivities inside the
gyms, events included the races, tug of war, cotton candy,
face painting, bowling, soccer kick, snow cones and more.
All students had the opportunity to pull for each other and
build relationships with one another.
“It makes my heart happy,” NCHS senior Colin
Crenshaw said. “It’s not just holding a hand. It’s more
than that. I can feel the energy through them, and I can
feel how excited they are.”
This year’s event could not have been possible without
the help of sponsors like the Chisholm Trail Education
Foundation, Cornerstone Impressions, Let’s Work
Foundation, Mosaic Academy, Christ Church, Life Church
and Nick Cartmill from Fuzzy’s Tacos in Burleson.
22 CROWLEY ISD CONNECTIONS | Summer 2018