IMPACT program hosts field day for transition-aged students with Special Olympics Oregon

The IMPACT program partnered with Special Olympics Oregon and the Benton County Community Transitions Program to host a field day for transition-aged students, 18–21 years old, from across the Willamette Valley. More than 75 students with intellectual and developmental disabilities from Corvallis, Albany, Lebanon, Taft and Newport participated in sports and wellness stations including soccer, basketball, corn hole, bocce and chair yoga.

Courtney Jost, IMPACT program coordinator, collaborated with Special Olympics Oregon to organize the event. Participants also had access to Healthy Athlete Screenings led by Andy Pitchford, kinesiology assistant professor, and his students, as well as Healthy Minds mental health stations led by community partners from Portland.

Approximately 40 undergraduate volunteers supported the event, joined by doctoral students Ana Younesiramedani, Hanna Lee and Sabarththiny Sivapalan. IMPACT group leaders Madi Holley, Annie Lin, Jonah Hansen, Sydney Mulder, Maya Elron and Sahasra Akkina played a key role in fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment. Transition teachers praised the event's atmosphere and the professionalism of College of Health students throughout the day.