ABOUT US
Metea Valley Special Olympics was created during the first year of Metea Valley High School's opening in the Fall of 2009. The club was created under the guidance of adaptive physical education instructor Meredith Jordan. In the fall of 2012, Jordan handed the reigns to fellow MVHS Special Education teacher Michael Ackerman who continues to lead the program. Metea Valley Special Olympics is part of the Indian Prairie School District 204 Special Olympics program that serves three high schools, three middle schools, a young athletes programs, and an alumni team.
SPORTS WE OFFER
Unified Soccer offers our Special Olympics athletes an opportunity to play alongside their "general education" peers. Teams are divided up based on skill level and compete with other teams of similar abilities. Each game allows for three Special Olympics athletes and two peers to participate on field for each team. The season culminates with a tournament for qualifying teams that has in the past been held at Toyota Park, the home of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club.
Basketball is a great opportunity for the athletes to commit to a lengthy season with a demanding schedule. The season consists of weekly practices combined with weekday games and a number of games and tournaments held on the weekends. In addition to exhibition games and tournaments played during the season, athletes participate in a district qualifying tournament at the end of the season. Each division's gold medal winner advances to the State Finals Tournament in Normal, IL.
Unified Dance is a new sport to Metea Valley High School. The team consists of Special Olympics athletes along side 'general education' peers, making it a unified sport. Unified Dance typically perform at least two times: Annual Pack the Stands game, and Illinois State Dance competition.
Aquatics is quite possibly the physically demanding sport offered to our athletes. All participants practice in the pool twice a week and work on their individual events as well as any relays they may be entered in. Traditionally the regional qualifier is held at Metea Valley High School. All gold medal qualifiers at the district level move on to the Illinois State Summers Games in Bloomington/Normal, IL.
Track & Field is offered as part of the Illinois State Summer Games held at ISU and Illinois Wesleyan in Bloomington/Normal, IL. Athletes take part in various races as well as field events including long jump, softball throw, and shot-put just to name a few. Events are also offered to athletes with physical limitations including those that use motorized and non-motorized wheelchairs.
Bowling is a great way to finish up the year long Special Olympics season. Traditionally students are transported to Parkside Lanes Bowling Alley immediately after school twice a week. Athletes pay $5 EACH DAY including bowling shoes and typically complete two games within the given amount of practice time. Ramps are provided for athletes that require accommodations. District 204 has recently implemented a district bowling tournament to finish out the season where awards are handed out.
