The Bellevue South Stake of the Church of Latter Day Saints, which includes North Bend and Snoqualmie, had 150 youth from four high schools in the region supporting Special Olympics on Saturday, May 31.

Several standout teens from Mount Si High School helped.

Laura Garding helped buy the food, and was part of the planning committee that helped organize the day, while Amanda Barnard was a first-time assistant with the event. Mount Si student Aasha Morrill also gave her time to the Special Olympics, as part of the planning group.

“Being able to help with the athletes at Special Olympics was a very rewarding experience,” Garding told the Valley Record. “The athletes were so full of joy and love it was hard not to love them back just as much.”

Athletes were fun to interact with, and just like anyone else, they enjoy having fun and competing with others, she said.

Volunteers assisted athletes and simply helped them enjoy themselves.