By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

The sunshine was beaming down, there was a cool breeze, and all-in-all it was a beautiful spring day – a great day for the annual Goodwill Games in Dexter!

The Goodwill Games is an annual springtime tradition for special needs students from the Dexter, Bloomfield and Bernie schools. In its 16th year, the games offers students with special needs the fun, adventure and friendships from athletic competition. Teachers help prepare the students for the day at the Charles Bland Stadium at Dexter High School, but it is a special group of DHS students who but the extra special touch to the Stoddard County event.

“The Cadet Teachers are the ones that help make this happen,” Dr. Kim Flowers, assistant superintendent of Dexter Schools and the coordinator of the event said. The high school students work one-on-one with the student athletes, serves as run with the athletes – and encourage, “pump them up,” help and celebrate with the special needs students.

The thrill of crossing the finish line is evident in the smiles on both the student athlete and the high school Cadet Teachers. A unique bond develops between the athletes and the high school seniors.

The folks in the stands get into the thrill of the Goodwill Games, too, encouraging and praising the student athletes for a job well done.

After all the races have been won and all the ribbons distributed, everyone climbs onto school buses for the short drive to the Dexter Elks Lodge. Every year the Elks host the Special Olympians, teachers, aides and Cadet Teachers for a picnic lunch – complete with hot dogs, hamburgers and all the “fixins.”

Flowers introduced the Elks members on hand to the Goodwill Games crew, and the Elks received a rousing ovation from all for their loyalty, dedication – and good cooking!

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