SOMO News

The Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO) School Series recently hosted an exciting lineup of health-focused activities aimed at promoting student-athlete well-being and physical fitness. These events were a mix of interactive health education, nutrition workshops, mental health seminars, and fitness challenges that made well-being fun and engaging. Highlights included karaoke, dancing, and Zumba, ensuring students had a blast while learning valuable life skills.

The range of activities was designed to not only boost physical health but also improve mental well-being, build healthy lifestyle habits, and support overall academic performance. Through their participation, students developed essential skills in stress management, understanding nutrition, and staying active—all critical factors that will contribute to their long-term health and success.

We were thrilled to have athletes from Camdenton High School and Jefferson City High School join us for these events. It was fantastic to witness the athletes thrive in a safe, supportive environment. Each student had the chance to explore fitness machines like treadmills, bikes, and ellipticals. Although these machines can sometimes feel intimidating, the encouragement from teachers and unified partners helped make the experience comfortable and enjoyable.

“A personal highlight for me was seeing the athletes embrace fitness on their own terms,” said, Maci Arnold, Special Olympics Missouri Health & Wellness Manager. “As The School Series evolves, I’m excited about the possibility of introducing weightlifting and a unified strength and conditioning segment. My ultimate goal is to make fitness a positive and safe part of their lives, helping them discover activities they truly enjoy. After all, fitness looks different for everyone, and I want to ensure that movement feels fun!”

Looking forward, we are excited about growing this program even further. If you have any questions or would like to get your school involved, please email us at arnold@somo.org.

Upcoming SOMO School Series Dates:

• 12/13
• 1/24
• 3/7
• 5/16