By Alexandra Molnar, Contributing Writer
Westborough – Around 350 students from across the state gathered at Westborough High School (WHS) Nov. 15 for the Special Olympics Bocce Tournament where attendees enjoyed themselves competing in bocce, mingling in Olympic Town, or having a good time with fellow student council members, best buddies and classmates. For the first time, WHS hosted the tournament, an event overseen by the Massachusetts Association of Student Councils (MASC) and Special Olympics Massachusetts (SOMA), which has been bringing students from across the state to compete in recreational bocce for four years.
The main goal of the event is to unify and engage students of all abilities in a fun and inclusive setting. Student councils partner with their school’s special education departments to put on and participate in this entirely student run event.
“Bocce is great,” WHS communications overseer Christina Bi said. “[You] don’t have to be athletic or highly trained. I love how included everyone is.”
This year, a record-breaking 25 schools participated with 13 competing in the tournament and 12 schools attending as fans. The event, which went from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., featured a series of bocce tournaments in the gym where the main goal was to have fun. In addition to bocce, there was an Olympic Town complete with henna tattoos, face painting, bracelet and origami making, and more. Decorations depicting different tourist sites from various countries adorned the hallways in keeping with the around the world theme. Lunch and concessions were also available to students.