Hundreds of athletes from Monroe and Northampton counties descended on Pleasant Valley High School’s athletic stadium Monday for Team Northampton’s annual Special Olympics school-based competition.

Julie Harris, Pleasant Valley special education director, said the impact of competing on a big stage reaches far beyond the result sheets for the athletes.

“This means everything to the athletes,” Harris said. “They are able to get out here and show off their athletic skills, their personalities and their knowledge. They make friends with the buddies we pair them with and it’s a very inclusive day for them. It’s all about them and nobody else.”

The games are a culmination of year-round effort by schools, teachers, and paraprofessionals who train students in physical education and adapted physical education classes.

“That all leads up to today and it’s tremendous to see such a big crowd here supporting the athletes,” Harris said. “People are watching them, cheering them on and accepting them for who they are. That is what matters most today.”

Team Northampton is made up of over 1,000 athletes from the 13 school districts within the Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 located throughout Northampton and Monroe counties.

Pleasant Valley fielded about 50 athletes, competing in various events including wheelchair races, assisted walks, running events ranging from 50 meters to 800 meters, relays, field events like softball throw, javelin, shot put, and long jump.

“We are very excited to host,” Harris said. “We used to host it many years ago and then it began to travel around. We told the IU we would like to host again and it’s great to have everyone here today.”