Carthage high schools student council held a special olympics track and field event today.

Student athletes from area schools participated in a multitude of competitions.

Like the one hundred meter dash -- or walk -- shot put -- and long jump..

It was a chance for kids to get out of the classroom, compete in athletics and have some fun with their community.

"there are kids with different needs, there are kids with different ideas, but at the end of the day they all have the same innate qualities of having fun, and communicating, smiling and being a kid."

Dowe: medals were awarded to the students at the end of the competition..

This event was also an exciting way to prepare students for a state qualifying meet that will be held in late april..

Dowe: