Share
Whenever Julian Lorenzo is on the soccer field, he aims to achieve one of two goals.
“Be a winner and to do my best,” said Lorenzo, a 7th-grade special education student at Rio Vista Middle School.
Special Olympics Soccer
The event started as a way to show special education students there are no boundaries and that they can do whatever they set their minds to, said Mike Preciado, the senior sports manager for Special Olympics Northern California.

Student Saint Ramos said he definitely had fun imitating moves from his favorite soccer players Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“This event is really cool,” Ramos said. “Soccer is a pretty cool sport.”
Seeing her students going out and trying their best is what Tracey Adams appreciates most about the event.
The sight of general education students supporting their special ed peers was enough to put a smile on John Eagan’s face.
“If this doesn’t make you excited then you don’t have a pulse,” said Eagan, a special education aide at Rio Vista. “This is just an awesome, heartwarming event.”
Generating More Interest
Special education students have been participating in Special Olympic events in Fresno County for nearly two decades, Preciado said.
The event used to feature students in kindergarten through high school, but had to be split up due to increased interest from schools, Preciado said.
“Last year was the first year that we separated it,” Preciado said. “The event today is elementary and middle schools, and then we have a high school and adult transition one that we host at Clovis East.”

Last year only four schools participated in Special Olympics at the middle school. This year, 23 schools did.
Each school had the opportunity to participate in a soccer game or a skills challenge.
After students worked up a sweat, they, along with their coaches and volunteers, were greeted with a spaghetti lunch donated by Di Cicco’s Italian Restaurant.
Priceless Memories
Lorrie Warren-Hoyt, a special education teacher at Hidalgo Elementary School, said seeing her students participate was priceless.
“It gives them confidence and the chance to see other kids like them,” Warren-Hoyt said. “It is very warm and welcoming.”
“We are creating an atmosphere of inclusion where students from all over feel included and cared for,” Munnelly said. “I think that is very rewarding.”
Watch Students Show Off Their Skills
Judge and Ohtani Light Up the First Inning With Historic Homers in Yankees-Dodgers Rematch
21 hours ago
Chapman Homers, Harrison Pitches Five Scoreless Innings as Giants Beat Marlins
22 hours ago
General Is a Good Boy — in English and Spanish
23 hours ago
Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Out With Broken Toe After Late-Night Bedroom Mishap
13 hours ago
California Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Vows to Repeal Transgender Athlete Law
17 hours ago
Trans Athlete Competes in California Championships in Clovis Despite National Controversy
20 hours ago
Tim Walz Urges Democrats to Fight Back Harder Against ‘Bully’ Trump
21 hours ago
No. 15 Overall Seed UCLA Eases Past Fresno State Behind a Season-High 22 Hits
21 hours ago
Judge and Ohtani Light Up the First Inning With Historic Homers in Yankees-Dodgers Rematch
21 hours ago
Chapman Homers, Harrison Pitches Five Scoreless Innings as Giants Beat Marlins
22 hours ago
General Is a Good Boy — in English and Spanish
23 hours ago
Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Out With Broken Toe After Late-Night Bedroom Mishap
13 hours ago
California Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Vows to Repeal Transgender Athlete Law
17 hours ago
Trans Athlete Competes in California Championships in Clovis Despite National Controversy
20 hours ago
Tim Walz Urges Democrats to Fight Back Harder Against ‘Bully’ Trump
21 hours ago
No. 15 Overall Seed UCLA Eases Past Fresno State Behind a Season-High 22 Hits
21 hours ago
Judge and Ohtani Light Up the First Inning With Historic Homers in Yankees-Dodgers Rematch
21 hours ago
Chapman Homers, Harrison Pitches Five Scoreless Innings as Giants Beat Marlins
22 hours ago
General Is a Good Boy — in English and Spanish
23 hours ago

Cabrera, Three Relievers Combine to Lead Marlins to Win Over Giants

Spike in Steel Tariffs Could Imperil Trump Promise of Lower Grocery Prices

Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Out With Broken Toe After Late-Night Bedroom Mishap

California Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Vows to Repeal Transgender Athlete Law

Trans Athlete Competes in California Championships in Clovis Despite National Controversy

Tim Walz Urges Democrats to Fight Back Harder Against ‘Bully’ Trump
