The Tumwater School District’s stadium was the perfect home for local student athletes participating in the second annual Day of Champions, celebrating fun, friendship and athletic achievement. The Day of Champions is a free, all-volunteer event designed for students K-12 with special needs and challenges. Students, volunteers and spectators enjoyed the sunny May 21, 2025 inclusive event’s opening procession, track and field activities, dance party finale and lunch as the gathering convened with partner Special Olympics. And as in the past, the popular Day of Champions generated miles of smiles.
“The best part of the day is to watch our community of students, parents, parent volunteers and student volunteers run the event together seamlessly,” says the district’s Executive Director of Special Services Chris Burgmeier. “It’s a wonder to see everyone smiling.”
Tumwater School District Holds Second Annual Outdoor Athletic Event for Special Needs Students
This is the second year the district has hosted its own Day of Champions that provides special needs students with adaptive outdoor activities in a friendly competition. Beginning in 2003, a Day of Champions was held each May by several local school districts for hundreds of students and volunteers in a large event convened with the support of the local Kiwanis Club. Due to its huge popularity, districts are now encouraged to host a local Day of Champions for their students. Burgmeier says the planning for the Tumwater School District’s 2025 Day of Champions took months to get the logistics right, with weekly meetings and lots of support from staff and the local community.
And it paid off. Tumwater’s 2025 Day of Champions brought together 100 district students, 70 volunteers and multiple organizations. Burgmeier says the day included 12 different athletic activities where students aged 5 to 21 participated in all events on a rotational schedule. The events are adapted to fit the skill levels of all participants. “We had everything from relay races to a 50-yard dash that included trikes and adaptive equipment,” she explains. “We had a parachute, and that’s always a big hit. This year, we had a big inflatable basketball that you throw, and that was a big hit.” In other activities, student athletes bowled a variety of large and small balls as well as themselves at hand-set bowling pins or had fun moving through the adaptive obstacle course.
All participants received a champion medal. “We allow each class to conduct their own medal ceremony,” Burgmeier explains, noting that the student athletes really appreciate the medals. “They show off their champion medals, and many, many students wore them the following day.”
Volunteers and Community Supporters Make Tumwater School District’s Day of Champions a Success
Student athletes were guided through each day’s events and activities by high school volunteers assigned to each participating classroom. “The high school volunteers were really great,” says Burgmeier. “They had ambassador roles that were nonstop from the time they met the buses, and the teachers really appreciated that. They were super helpful.”
Other volunteers served in key roles as well. The opening parade around the track was led by the New Market Skills Center JROTC and included the Tumwater High School mascot and Lakefair Court Royalty. The Tumwater Police Department, Tumwater Fire Department, South Sound Reading Foundation and additional organizations were also on hand. Music played and events were announced with the talented assistance of the fabulous “DJ Nikki Nelson” who also serves as the Black Hills High School Athletic Director.
From the grandstands, families and other spectators watched the exciting day unfold. “There were lots of parents and encouraging people in the stands,” Burgmeier says. “We invited the community to come and watch in the stands and cheer.”
Tumwater School District Gets Lots of Positive Feedback on Its 2025 Day of Champions
With all this effort and support bringing smiles to the participants, it’s no surprise that the district received lots of positive feedback. “Parents have been really thanking us for this activity,” Burgmeier says. “There was lots of love for the 50-yard dash,” she adds. “They really love it.” The district’s Facebook page comments on the event were uplifting and enthusiastic. “My favorite day of the school year!!!” wrote one person. “Thank you for making this day happen for my kiddo!” wrote another.
And Burgmeier says the district staff’s similar enthusiastic feedback means it’s a “100% ‘yes’” to schedule a Day of Champions in 2026, which means the logistical work will begin once more. “We will start again planning for next spring,” she says. If you or your organization want to support next year’s event, contact Burgmeier at the Tumwater School District.
Tumwater School District
621 Linwood Avenue SW, Tumwater
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