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A participant celebrates after recieving a medal at the Super Stars track meet at Maple Mountain High School on Tuesday, May 4, 2023.

Courtesy Lana Hiskey, Nebo School District

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Participants run down the track at the Super Stars Track and Field Day at Maple Mountain High School on Tuesday, May 4, 2023.

Courtesy Lana Hiskey, Nebo School District

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Participants pose for a photo with their medals at the Super Stars Track and Field Day at Maple Mountain High School on Tuesday, May 4, 2023.

Courtesy Lana Hiskey, Nebo School District

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A group photo of all who participated in the Super Stars track meet at Maple Mountain High School on Tuesday, May 4, 2023.

Courtesy Lana Hiskey, Nebo School District

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A participant poses for a photo with their medal at the Super Stars track meet at Maple Mountain High School on Tuesday, May 4, 2023.

Courtesy Lana Hiskey, Nebo School District

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On May 4, Maple Mountain High School hosted the Super Stars Track and Field Day, an annual event for special needs students in the Nebo School District. Since 2011, students, family members and peer mentors have gathered at the track for a day of fun and competition.

The event is the brainchild of Maple Mountain High School’s athletic director, Dave Boyack, who collaborated with district-level special education specialist Tasha Lewis to bring about the event. Together, they consulted with coaches, special education instructors and the school district’s department for special education to help bring the idea to life.

“The Nebo District special classes (truly) enjoy our annual Super Stars track meet. This event is always our favorite and we thank everyone involved to make it happen,” Lewis said.

“Super Stars” come from elementary, middle and junior high schools from across the district and are paired with peer mentors who attend Maple Mountain High School. Most mentors compete in school sports or at elite levels.

“This track and field day is an amazing opportunity for the Maple Mountain High students in physical education classes and athletics to serve these incredible kids in the Nebo School District. It is touching to see the smiles on all the faces of these ‘Super Star’ participants,” Boyack said.

Peer mentors give encouragement and support to their Super Stars as they compete, in some cases running alongside them in their races and always giving high fives, hugs, fist bumps and cheers before and after their events, no matter the outcome.

“It is inspiring to see the general education high school students helping our special needs students. As these high school students serve with devotion, I notice they have the biggest smiles ever on their faces. These types of events bring an awareness and appreciation for each other and a genuine happiness and love. I am so grateful for events like this,” said Alicia Rudd, Nebo’s special education director.

Some of the track events offered included the high jump, long jump, a softball throw, the standard 50-, 100-, 200- and 400-meter races, and a 400-meter wheelchair race, where mentors pushed their special needs peers down the track.

For some Super Stars, the best part was when they were awarded special medals. Some received their very first awards on this day.

“It’s great for our athletes to take a moment to help other kids feel special and do something physical that our athletes get to do all the time,” Boyack said. “It’s a perfect way to honor others. This community always takes care of each other.”