The first-ever Jim Thorpe Olympic Games brought together students with exceptionalities from across Carbon County on Friday for a day of athletic competition and celebration.

The inaugural event drew around 100 student athletes, including those from Jim Thorpe Area, Palmerton Area and Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21, and 88 staff and student volunteers from the Jim Thorpe Area School District, marking what organizers hope will become a growing annual tradition for the community.

According to event organizer Avery Hower, a special education teacher at Jim Thorpe, the idea for the games emerged from a similar experience.

“I took my students one time to the Spartan Games and we just wanted to make an event of our own for Carbon County schools,” Hower said. “It’s a far distance for us to go to the Spartan Games every year so we came up with Jim Thorpe Olympic Games, and opened it up to Carbon County. For the first year, I think we have a pretty good turnout.”

The event featured a diverse array of activities designed to accommodate students with varying abilities.

“We have the carnival events where there’s everything from pieing administrators in the face, to a bounce house and a dunk tank where kids have a chance right now to dunk the Jim Thorpe superintendent,” Hower said. “We have throws like football tosses and tennis ball throws, an obstacle course, some running events and some relays.”

Hower emphasized that the underlying philosophy of the games centers on inclusion and equality.

“I think this is all about equality and ensuring that students, regardless of their disabilities, know that they’re equals and they have equal opportunities to do an event like this,” she said.

Student participant Ryan Kelly expressed enthusiasm for the water-based activities. When asked about his favorite event, Kelly said, “I would say the balloons. You get refreshed by the water.”

Kelly also participated in planning the event, helping with various aspects of the organization.

“I helped with the dunk tank and the concession stand,” he noted when describing his preparation involvement.

When asked about his overall experience, Kelly responded, “Everything, every all of it,” when describing what he found most enjoyable about the games.

The event welcomed spectators and included several fundraising and refreshment opportunities. A 50/50 raffle was conducted and commemorative T-shirts were sold for $10. Food service was provided by local vendors.

“I’m excited to see the students’ faces,” Hower said. “I enjoy seeing them and it’s all for the kids, so as long as they’re having fun, this is a success.”

Looking toward the future, organizers have ambitious plans for expansion.

“It’s going to be an ongoing event open up to the community,” she added, “and every year, we hope that it grows and grows.”