Little Feet Meet takes over Falls Church

Little Feet Meet in Falls Church gives classmates a different perspective

Hundreds of athletes invaded Meridian High School in Falls Church, Virginia on Friday, and the fiercest competitors had the smallest feet! This is the “Little Feet Meet”, an event organized for four years during which general education elementary students pair up with classmates with special needs.

FALLS CHURCH, Virginia. – Hundreds of athletes took over Meridian High School in Falls Church on Friday, and the fiercest competitors had the smallest feet!

This is the “Little Feet Meet”, an event organized for four years during which general education elementary students pair up with classmates with special needs.

The teams train for three months, then the pairs, from at least nine different Northern Virginia schools, all come together to compete at Meridian High School for the big Special Olympics-style competition.

FOX 5 spoke with Bush Hill Elementary sixth grader Essete, who is paired with his classmate, Hasaan.

Hasaan’s smile lit up the field, he was so excited!

“He’s a very good partner,” Essete told FOX 5, “We’re very far away from not being able to launch anything and hitting the target. Yes, he’s definitely improved and it’s really nice to be able to work with him.”

“It’s really nice to know someone who’s different from me, so I can enjoy learning different perspectives and how to handle a lot of different situations,” she added.

Meridian High School Assistant Principal Rob Carey told FOX 5, “The energy, the smiles on our faces, the volunteers, the Falls Church City Public Schools volunteers, it’s truly a team effort .”

“Yeah, and I mean the goal of the Feet Meet is really to do a few things,” said Virginia Special Olympics Potomac Region Director Joe Smith. “One is to give all athletes and students the opportunity to maybe try something new, to get out of their comfort zone. And then, at the same time, to make a connection with maybe a young who they have never met before; to meet someone from another school and get to know their peers within the community, in the region.

Little Feet Meet takes over Falls Church

The event began with Falls Church City Police Sgt. Fallon Norloff and two students lighting the torch.

One of the students attending is a freshman from Meridian High School, Preston, who also excitedly excited his fellow athletes before the games.

The event includes 15-20 different competitions and social games. It is also an introduction to the real Special Olympics.

Every student in this competition is a winner. This award is an invaluable experience that will remain forever in the memory of the athletes.