10/20/2026
More than 750 students from 33 schools across the Roanoke Valley descended on Wiliam Fleming High School today for the annual Special Olympics Big Feet Meet. Students participated in running and walking events, javelin, softball throw, and long jump—all while celebrating ability, building friendships, and helping create more unified and inclusive school communities.
This season’s message is : We can’t BE UNIFIED without YOU! Community members are encouraged to attend, cheer on the athletes, and experience the power of inclusion in action. Volunteers are also needed to help make the event a success.
The Big Feet Meet is part of Special Olympics Virginia’s Unified Champion Schools® program, which uses sports as a catalyst for fostering respect, dignity, and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities. Through inclusive sports, youth leadership opportunities, and whole-school engagement, the program empowers young people to build welcoming school environments where everyone belongs.
Since 2011, William Fleming High School students have helped lead and celebrate inclusion through the Big Feet Meet. Each year, the event strengthens a regional partnership that promotes youth leadership, schoolwide engagement, and Unified Sports at William Fleming and dozens of other schools throughout the Roanoke Valley. This year, approximately 150 William Fleming students will once again take leadership roles in hosting the event.
The day’s festivities included an opening ceremony, featuring the lighting of the Flame of Hope and the Athlete Oath.
Thanks to Roanoke City Public Schools, Pinnacle Financial, the Community Foundation of Western Virginia, and local law enforcement agencies, students and volunteers for helping facilitate events, cheer on participants, and present awards throughout the day.
