Special Olympics Brings Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Students Together

OBA Staff • March 13, 2025

Free event invites the public to celebrate team spirit and sportsmanship

Special Olympics 2023 in Gulf Shores, Photo by Brent Williams

Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) –  The Fourth Annual Island Special Olympics is set to bring athletes, families, and volunteers together for a day of sports competition, and community support. The event will take place at Mickey Miller Blackwell Stadium in Gulf Shores.


The competition is scheduled for Tuesday, March 18, 2025, with gates opening at 8:15 a.m. and the closing medal ceremony concluding at noon. Students with disabilities from Gulf Shores City Schools and Orange Beach City Schools will compete in various track and field events. The Island Special Olympics began in 2022, with Gulf Shores hosting the first event. Orange Beach athletes joined the following year, and the two districts have since alternated hosting.


“This event not only highlights the talents of our athletes, but also fosters a sense of unity, compassion, and excitement,” said Dr. Sonya Price, Director of Exceptional Education at Gulf Shores City Schools. “We invite everyone to join us for a day of celebration and support.”


The event will feature multiple track and field competitions, an awards ceremony, and interactive activities for participants. After the competition, athletes can enjoy games, karaoke, and a lunch provided by the Perdido Bay and Island Optimist Clubs.


The public is encouraged to attend and show their support. Admission is free, and families are encouraged to come out and cheer on the athletes.


For more information, visit
www.gsboe.org.

Share this article w/ Friends...

Makos on Main
By K. Cooper July 23, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach City Schools invites students, staff, and the community to celebrate the start of the school year at the annual Makos on Main Parade. The event will be held at The Wharf in Orange Beach and is free and open to the public. Students from Pre-K through 12th grade will march toget
Orange Beach Officers secure a boat that got loose during T.S. Bertha
By K. Cooper July 23, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — An Orange Beach resident, Maria Hawkins, found more than she expected while checking their property Wednesday morning after Tropical Storm Bertha. A boat had washed up near their dock overnight. Hawkins spotted it after waking up and stepping outside to survey the damage. What followed was
Gulf Spanish Mackerel - Photo by Shutterstock
By K. Cooper July 23, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — NOAA Fisheries is inviting the public to weigh in on a proposed rule that would reduce the annual catch limit for Gulf Spanish mackerel. The proposed change is part of Framework Amendment 14 to the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf and Atlantic Reg
Tropical Storm Birtha's Current Position
By K. Cooper July 22, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Tropical Storm Bertha, the second named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, was located due south of Dauphin Island and just southwest of Orange Beach as of 4 a.m. CDT this morning. The NWS National Hurricane Center in Miami issued Advisory 12, placing the storm's center near lati
Gulf Shores International Airport
By Erica Thomas July 22, 2026
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Officials with the Gulf Shores International Airport (GUF/JKA) broke ground on a $15 million terminal expansion in response to “extraordinary” passenger growth.
Extension - Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities
By K. Cooper July 22, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Watching a cluster of balloons drift over the Gulf may feel like a fitting tribute or a joyful celebration, but researchers say the practice causes lasting harm to wildlife and the environment. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System published a report, warning that every balloon released
Bertha is the second named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season
By K. Cooper July 21, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Tropical Storm Bertha was about 175 miles southeast of Mobile, Alabama, as of 7 a.m. CDT on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. The National Hurricane Center in Miami issued Intermediate Advisory 8A at that time, placing the storm's center near latitude 28.8 North, longitude 86.2 West. Maximum sustain
Judi Bolton Wheat Honored at American Legion Post in Foley
By K. Cooper July 21, 2026
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — An Elberta woman has been named the American Legion Auxiliary Volunteer of the Year for the State of Alabama. Judi Wheat received the honor at a recent district meeting at American Legion Post 99 in Foley. Alabama State American Legion Auxiliary President Carla Biniecki presented the award. Famil
Irwin Street Speed Limit Reduced
By Guy Busby July 21, 2026
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — The City of Foley has lowered the speed limit on Irwin Street to improve access for low-speed vehicles. The Foley City Council gave final approval to an ordinance implementing the change. The new limit is 35 miles per hour, down from 40 miles per hour. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the lower limit wi
Orange Beach City Hall
By K. Cooper July 21, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach is taking its next step toward environmental preservation. The City Council will vote on a resolution awarding an $84,297.04 bid to Integrated Aqua Systems, Inc., for life-support equipment at the Coastal Alabama Sea Turtle Facility. This project underscores the city's commitm
Show More