MCC Special Olympics Club launches with inaugural Walking on Wednesday event
Meridian Community College’s Special Olympics Club took a step toward greater inclusion and wellness as it hosted its first Walking on Wednesday event.
Held at the start of the College’s walking trail around campus at the Damon Fitness Center, the event served as the club’s kickoff and introduced students, employees, and supporters to its mission. Ashley Garrett, CTE support services coordinator and a member of the Special Olympics Club committee, said the event was designed to bring attention to the new club and build support across campus.
Garrett said interest in the club has already been strong.
“We do not know yet how many members we have, but we have a lot of signups,” she said.
MCC plans to continue Walking on Wednesday once a month during the regular academic year, with the series starting back in September.
Kimberly Rush, associate dean of advising, retention, and student success and a member of the Special Olympics Club committee, said the long-term aim is to grow the organization into something even larger.
“Our goal is to eventually have a Special Olympics sport here on campus,” she said. “We are working baby steps.” Sophia Garcia-Rose with the Special Olympics Mississippi office said the College has already made meaningful progress.
“Meridian Community College and our Special Olympics area coordinator have been working hard to get a Special Olympics presence here, so I am so excited to see this flourish for the upcoming fall,” Garcia said.
MCC is the first community college in Mississippi to establish a Special Olympics Club.
The club is looking for athletes, coaches, volunteers, and partners. Its purpose is to promote ability, inclusion, and friendship through Special Olympics at MCC and to create a place where everyone belongs, Garrett noted.
Additional MCC committee members are Ashley Dean, Brandi Pickett, Crystal Sterling, Jeanette Howell, and Phyllis Holladay.
For more information about the MCC Special Olympics Club, contact Garrett at ashley.garrett@meridiancc.edu or visit meridiancc.edu/specialolympics.