Special Olympics Spring Games held at Ashley High School

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Over 500 student athletes gathered at Ashley High School Friday morning for the 2025 Special Olympics New Hanover County Spring Games—the organization’s largest event to date.

School-aged athletes from across the county participated in a wide variety of adapted sports and games. These events are specially designed to give all students—regardless of ability—a chance to compete and have fun.

“Maybe it isn’t a great fit for all of us to [do] every sport,” said Brooke DeAmaral, Special Olympics Coordinator. “But we believe that there is a way to adapt every single sport that we have. So we’ll see today—for softball throw, if they can’t maybe throw the ball, we have a gutter they can roll it. Or we have balloon tap. There is just a way we can make sure all of our friends have a great time, have fun, and get out there and compete.”

Next Friday, preschool-aged children will participate in their own day of competition at Legion Stadium.