Like so many other events in 2020, Titus County Special Olympics was canceled due to health concerns. So in 2021, Mount Pleasant High School teacher, Aimee Sweeden, created Tiger Games to take its place so that the most special Tigers in MPISD wouldn’t miss another year of fun and festivity. Sweeden teaches courses under the Education career cluster for high school students interested in becoming teachers themselves.

“I saw a need for events that included even the younger kids,” said Sweeden. “Special Olympics only offers events from ages 8 and up. Seeing the opportunity to involve my students who are studying special populations in the spring, it only seemed fitting for them to help. We developed games that every kid can do or accommodate them so that they can participate. I’ve always had a passion for Special Ed so I am glad to do it.”

On Friday, May 5, students from all 8 MPISD campuses gathered at Sam Parker Stadium for the 3rd annual Tiger Games organized by Sweeden and MPHS students representing multiple campus organizations. Each campus was announced over the booming stadium microphone and all the athletes entered to the MPHS Fight Song through the Tiger Head, provided by the Tiger Booster Club. The MPHS Cheerleaders and Tiger Dolls formed victory lines and cheered for their fellow students as they took the field.

Students representing Career and Technology Student Organizations (CTSO) such as Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE), Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Texas Public Safety Association (TPSA), Future Farmers of America (FFA), Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), Future Business Leaders of

America (FBLA) and campus organizations such as Student Council and the Art Department provided booths for each group to rotate through. Booths included an obstacle course, bubble station, face painting, capture the flag, ring toss, bowling, a pedal cars obstacle course, corn hole, scooter races and many more. Members of the organizations designed the booths, made and hung decorations, helped run the booths, took photos, and assisted the athletes where needed.

Sweeden continued, “The TAFE organization and the future educators work tirelessly to design and accommodate games for all ages and levels. Other CTSOs are involved in volunteering and working the event. Some help participants in the activities while others help teachers with their groups of students.”

There were painted faces, smiles, and laughter all around at Sam Parker Stadium that day, both from the athletes and the student workers. And while students from all eight MPISD campuses competed and played games, everyone on that field went home a winner.