Virginia Beach Middle Schoolers Compete in Special Olympics
More than 300 students from the city's 10 middle schools took part in the Meet in the Middle field day at Corporate Landing Middle School.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Special Education
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Virginia Beach City Public Schools hosted the Meet in the Middle Special Olympics field day for middle school students. More than 300 students competed in races and obstacle courses or joined a dance party, pairing students with disabilities with general education peer buddies.
Why it matters
The event is in its fourth year and is designed to build awareness and inclusion among students with and without disabilities. Rob Mages said it helps general education students understand that students with disabilities are great.
Students with disabilities trained with peer buddies for about six weeks before the field day, which featured the 50-meter dash, distance throwing, and an obstacle course. Participation figures were reported without a comparison to prior years.
The players
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
The public school district serving the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia, which hosted the event.
Special Olympics
The international organization that provides year-round sports training and competition for people with intellectual disabilities.
Lt. Adam Berstein
A law enforcement officer who has supported Special Olympics through the Law Enforcement Torch Run for about 25 years.
The details
Students from the city's 10 middle schools visited the Corporate Landing Middle School campus for the event. Stations also included a dance party and yoga, and Lt. Adam Berstein, who has worked with Special Olympics through the Law Enforcement Torch Run for about 25 years, carried the Torch of Hope for the opening ceremonies.
Timeline
About six weeks before the field day, peer buddy partners began practicing together.
Last week, students visited Corporate Landing Middle School for Meet in the Middle.
Seasonal Patterns
Special Olympics' Torch Run program has been carried by law enforcement officers for decades, and this field day extends that tradition into a fourth annual middle school event. The program's inclusion model pairs students with disabilities and general education peers, a format that Virginia Beach schools have now repeated for four years.
Families interested in peer buddy programs can ask their child's school about participation in Special Olympics activities. Schools typically announce these opportunities in advance, so checking with the district early helps families plan.
The takeaway
Pairing students with and without disabilities for shared athletic goals can build understanding that lasts beyond a single event. Parents and educators who want to support similar programs can start by asking schools about peer buddy opportunities.
Further reading
For related coverage, see Special Education in Virginia Beach.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WHRO Public Media.
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