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By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

AKRON — Tippecanoe Valley High School freshman Addy Fisher and her younger sister, Tippecanoe Valley Middle School sixth grader Ariel Fisher, said they were “happy” to race together on Friday, Oct. 25.

The Fisher sisters participated in TVMS’ first-ever inclusive 5K for students with and without disabilities at the track by the TVHS football field. Aside from Addy, all of the students participating were sixth graders.

Addy, who has special needs, was pushed by Ariel in a special chair with wheels provided by myTEAM TRIUMPH for the race. The organization myTEAM TRIUMPH allows people with special needs to compete in runs and triathlons around the area.

Other students also rode in the chairs, with kids and adult volunteers taking turns propelling them.

Students also ran or walked in the race, with others on the sidelines cheering them on. All participants wore shirts provided by sponsors with writing on the front, which read: “Valley Strong. Ability > Disability. We Are One.”

TVMS physical education and health teacher Kacie Zolman conceived the idea for the race. She also volunteers for myTEAM TRIUMPH.

Kids were organized into teams of six with them “responsible for two laps around the track,” said Zolman.

If the kids got tired, they could rest a bit and then rejoin their teams.

“Each of our teams also are partnered with an adult chaperone that’s familiar with myTEAM TRIUMPH and they’re runners, so they understand both the impact of myTEAM TRIUMPH and how running can change you both mentally and physically,” added Zolman.

She called the race “a gift from God that He put in my mind and I’ve just executed it.”

“I want to be able to build good humans and allow for the kids to feel what it’s like to change others’ lives, and I really believe that when we can come together as one and have this opportunity these kids (can) grow so much from it,” said Zolman.

She said 80 students signed up to race Friday.

“I really hope that this teaches the kids that there’s more to life than themselves,” said Zolman. “I want them to know that the world is big, and even a small, kind gesture can change somebody’s life.”

She said she was “open to growing (the 5K in the future) and bringing awareness to all abilities, so we can celebrate all abilities together.”

TVMS Principal Kyle Wieland called the event “incredible.”

“I just appreciate myTEAM TRIUMPH and the work they did and Mrs. Zolman and the sixth grade team for the work they did and I think this is awesome to have this many students participating in something so positive,” he said.