Special mini-olympics at PWHS
Mo Laidlaw

For the second year running, Philemon Wright High School hosted the Annual Special Mini-Olympics on May 20th. Mike Dawson, the director general of the Western Quebec School Board, opened the event along with Mirane Lanoix-Boyer. Mirane is Quebec boccia champion and a Canadian team member for the para-olympic games in Athens. She is a great source of inspiration for the young participants.

Over one-hundred students living with a mental or physical handicap, from schools all over West Quebec took part, from English and French school boards: WQSB, CS des Draveurs, CS des Portages-de-l’Outaouais, and CS Haute-Gatineau.

Both elementary and high schools were represented: Chelsea, CE de la Haute-Gatineau, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Greater Gatineau, De l’Odyssée-Jean XXIII, Georges-Étienne Cartier, La Source, De la Traversée, and Ste-Maria Goretti elementary schools, and Symmes, Pontiac, Philemon Wright, Érablière, Le Carrefour, Mont-Bleu, and Grande-Rivière high schools.

Events included a 50 metre race, putting, basketball throw, long jump, dance, an obstacle course, bean bag toss, and shot put. These took place on the running track and playing fields. Wheelchair athletes took part in a 10 metre race, slalom, shot put, dance, frisbee golf, basketball throw and boccia, which were held on paved outdoor areas and in the gym.

More than 60 Philemon Wright students, from Ms. Balenko’s advanced physical-education class as well as Ms. Jones, Mr. Cousineau, Ms. St-Jean and Mr. Harvey’s classes, helped as hosts and volunteer coordinators for the event, showing great skill and being wonderful ambassadors.