SHS hosted the event with other Maine districts and Great Bay, New Hampshire 

By Grace Pearson, Editor-in-Chief 

SANFORD, Maine – On Thursday, April 10, SHS hosted the first Special Olympics Cornhole event in the state of Maine. There were 70 athletes signed up, ages 14-62. 

Nine games ran simultaneously, and athletes participated in three rotations with breaks in between.

Gabby Losciuto, a student who participated in the cornhole event, said her favorite part was getting to play and that she would like to do this event again. 

“I love seeing them all get excited when they’re doing good. They all really cheer each other on when they’re in different teams,” said student helper Lizzy Fraser. 

Both Gifford and Fraser agree that for a pilot everything is going well so far. 

Gifford says they are planning to host this event every year, and are hoping to “grow it throughout the state.” 

“It’s a great opportunity to come down and see other programs from the other schools and Great Bay,” said Stephanie Boissonneault, a teacher from the Special Education Department at SHS. 

She says that “everyone’s having fun and smiling,” and that it’s a great way to make connections. 

“The unified events are cool because they bring together different types of students and make lasting connections,” she said. “When they see their unified partners in the hall they stop and chat.” 

She said she loves to watch everyone enjoy themselves. 

“The more opportunities we get to do it just kind of boosts everybody’s self-esteem and makes everyone smile,” she said. “The more opportunities the better. We are really lucky to have JMG offering all these events.” 

They will continue to offer Special Olympics bowling each fall.

The Unified team also goes to other events like the Special Olympics track and field event in May.