Students with special needs show off skills during “Job Olympics” event

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — An annual event known as the “Job Olympics” is a day that gives special needs students in Lexington-Richland School District Five a chance to show off their work-related skills and helps prepare them for the workforce.

Making their way from Chapin, Spring Hill, Dutch Fork, and Irmo High Schools, around 100 students with special needs participate in the “Job Olympics.”

As soon as they step off of their buses, the district’s Lead Job Coach Karan Bundrick says they’re greeted with cheers by fellow high schoolers.

“I really feel like they look at it as a way to show off what they know, to share their excitement, to meet new people, to just celebrate being themselves,” Bundrick says.

Once inside the students participate in friendly competitions including sorting silverware, stocking groceries, folding linens, and holding mock interviews.

All in an attempt to prepare them for jobs during or after graduation, says Director of Special Services Angie Slatton, with many of the students landing work in restaurants, warehouses, hospitals, and grocery stores.

“This is such a fun opportunity for us to host the “Job Olympics” for our students with disabilities. It gives them a chance to highlight all the skills we’re working on in our job skills classes. It gives them a chance to not only practices those skills but celebrate the hard work that they’ve done in building these skills throughout the school year,” Slatton says.

But the day is not just focused on work preparedness, it’s also focused on having fun.

Students have plenty of time to dance, play games, hang out with their friends, and grab a hug from local mascots.

And Bundrick says the day does more than lead students to finding employment within the community, saying, “These kids grow, and become their own people, and learn to self-advocate, and say what they want, and be who they are. And be proud of who they are.”