05/26/2026
HISTORY WAS MADE at Iowa Valley Elementary! ๐ค๐งก๐ฅ
Last week, Iowa Valley Elementary sent its FIRST-EVER delegation to the Special Olympics Iowa Summer Games in Ames! Our Tigers made this an unforgettable milestone for our school community. ๐๐
Before heading to Ames, our athletes received an incredible sendoff through the halls of Iowa Valley Elementary, with students and staff lining the hallways to cheer them on. The energy, pride, and support in that moment made it something theyโll never forget. ๐ฏ๐
All spring long, our delegation members worked hard and showed true determination as they trained for the 50m dash, 100m dash, tennis ball throw, and softball throw.
On Friday, May 22nd, our Tigers competed at Iowa State University alongside more than 2,500 talented athletes from across Iowa at the stateโs largest Special Olympics event. From the Opening Ceremony at Hilton Coliseum to the Olympic Festival and every moment in between, the experience was filled with inspiration, friendship, and joy.
And our athletes truly SHINED: ๐ฅ
๐ Carson Lyon โ 100m dash (3rd place)
๐ฅ Paxton Graft โ 100m dash (1st place)
๐ฅ Wyatt Driscoll โ 50m dash (1st place)
๐ฅ Dominic Hammen-Strasser โ 50m dash (2nd place)
Beyond the medals, this experience was about pride, perseverance, inclusion, and celebrating what our students can achieve when they are supported and empowered.
Athletes also enjoyed the Olympic Festival, made new friends from across the state, and took part in activities celebrating health, wellness, and inclusion.
We are SO proud of our students for representing Iowa Valley with courage, determination, and Tiger pride. This is just the beginning of an amazing new tradition for our school community. ๐ค๐งก