Cheers echoed through the Mexico High School Sports Complex as volunteer high schoolers lined up to form a tunnel from the front doors of the complex into the gymnasium. Armed with colorful pool noodles and true Bulldog spirit, Mexico High School welcomed students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to the third annual Inclusion Revolution.

The Special Olympics Inclusion Revolution, overseen by Alisa Garner, is a Special Olympics Missouri sponsored event that invites students of all abilities to come together for a fun-filled day complete with mini-games, sports and engaging activities.

Garner is in her second year as a Special Olympics coach for Central, Team 66.017. She works closely with SOMO and Special Olympics International to execute “The Revolution is Inclusion” campaign.

According to a Special Olympics International press release, the campaign strives to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities and create a fully inclusive world.

After the students came through the welcome tunnel and found their seats in the bleachers, MHS Student Council and cheerleaders held a pep rally.

In the bleachers was a sea of brightly colored shirts, keeping up with this year’s glow-in-the-dark theme. Each school district had their own color of “Glow SOMO” shirts.

“We have all of our kids from Mexico public schools who participate in the Special Olympics, and then we have four visiting schools,” Garner said.

Moberly, Centralia, Community R-6, and Madison school districts Special Olympics athletes and their buddies were invited to come spend the day in Mexico.

In attendance were Superintendent Troy Lentz, Assistant Superintendent Julie Lower and Miss Audrain Halie Hebron.

There is always something for everybody at the Inclusion Revolution, with around 25 different stations that they were able to enjoy after the pep rally.

“We get different clubs from the high school and middle school to come and help out and there is a lot of community involvement too,” Garner said

Everyone took a small break for lunch, which was provided by MHS, thanks to the many sponsors for this year’s event, at 11:30.

“After they eat lunch, they have a dance party which is always really fun,” said Marci Orr, MPS director of communications.

Kids could barely contain their excitement, racing through lunch to get back to the party, which lasted until about noon, when it was finally time to say goodbye to another successful year.

“It’s just fun, and it’s fulfilling giving back to the kids,” Garner said, smiling.

For more photos, see The Mexico Ledger’s online photo galleries.