Kiwanis Track and Field Day: Everyone is a winner

COSHOCTON – Scott Ballentine's shirt was covered in ribbons Thursday afternoon at Kids America.

"I got a ribbon from cornhole, football and basketball," he said. "It's cool to win ribbons."

Scott was one of about 180 kids from several schools across the area who participated in the 21st annual Kiwanis Track and Field Day.

It was the second event this week hosted by Kids America as part of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, with adult day taking place Tuesday.

Toby Collins, who is the director of Recreation and Special Olympics at Coshocton County Board of Developmental Disabilities, said she thinks the event is one of the highlights of the month for everyone involved.

"The adults and the kids really look forward to doing this every year," she said. "It's especially great for the kids because they get a chance to have some fun outside of school."

Kids of all ages from Coshocton, Ridgewood, River View, Newcomerstown and Hopewell schools turned out for the day, which featured individual sporting events for participants.

"Teachers were asked to group the kids by their skill level, and then they were allowed to different things at different stations," Collins said. "Each kid got a ribbon based on how they placed, and everybody that participated got a ribbon at each event."

Warsaw Elementary School Intervention Specialist Polly Maple said she is happy to see all the kids enjoying themselves.

"I really enjoy seeing the kids accomplish things and they have so much fun here," Maple said. "It's a really great event for the community and the kids."

Collins added the day has great social benefits for the kids as well.

"It really helps boost their self-esteem and gives them confidence that they can do anything," she said. "It's also a great way for the kids to connect with the community."

About 60 high school students from Coshocton High School's Key Club also helped with the event.

Senior Madeline Hire said she waits all year for the event and thinks it is one of the most important things the club does as a group.

"Helping out with this is exciting and a lot of fun," she said. "It means just as much to us to be able to help as it does to them to be able to participate."

Fellow senior Katie Tupper said she was just thrilled to see so many smiling faces.

"Seeing one of them smile after doing something special makes everyone's day that much better," Tupper said. "All of us want to be here, and we do all of this for those kids."

jmickeyjr@gannett.com

Twitter: @TribuneJJMickey