Presbyterian College’s values of service and community came to life in Bailey Memorial Stadium on April 4, as students, alumni, faculty, and staff gathered to host the Area 5 Special Olympics—a beloved tradition that brought hundreds of athletes, coaches, teachers, and supporters to campus for a day of joy and celebration.

The event, organized by Student Volunteer Services (SVS), is one of the college’s largest annual service initiatives, reflecting the institution’s mission of servant leadership.

“All of our emphasis on service that we talk about throughout the year at PC is on wide open, full display this day,” said the Rev. Dr. Buz Wilcoxon, the Marianne and E.G. Lassiter Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Life. “It’s the best day of the year at PC. This is us being the most PC we can be.”

A Full-Circle Moment

This year’s event was especially meaningful for siblings Lyle and Dessa Jones, both PC students-turned-leaders in Special Olympics coordination.

Lyle, who coordinated this year’s event as an SVS leader, reflected on the personal impact of following in his sister’s footsteps.

“My sister had a big hand in planning it my freshman year,” he said. “So, getting to be the coordinator of it now and have her be here with her special education students is really kind of a nice full circle moment for me.”

Dessa Jones, now a special education teacher at Clinton Elementary School, echoed that sentiment.

“It feels really, really good to bring my kids here and have them experience something that I loved so much working on in college,” she said. “It’s my favorite day of the year, so I’m really excited to do it with them.”

From Students to Educators

Jones wasn’t the only PC alum returning to the field as a professional. Riley Hulett, her former classmate and co-coordinator of the event during their senior year, also returned with her students from Clinton Elementary, where she now serves as a special education assistant.

“It’s really fun to come back as an educator and just bring our kids and see them so happy,” Hulett said. “I just love seeing the growth in the kids, and the way they see life is just amazing.”

Both alumni exemplify how the experience of organizing the Special Olympics at PC can shape professional paths and inspire continued advocacy for people with disabilities.

A Baptism by Fire

For the current SVS team, the day was both a massive undertaking and a powerful initiation into leadership.

“This is kind of their baptism by fire,” said the Rev. Dr. British Hyrams, the Jack and Jane Presseau Associate Chaplain. “We’ve just been telling them all along, ‘Just wait until the day—you’ll see,’ and I’m sure they’ll say, ‘Yep, you were right.’”

Hyrams acknowledged the behind-the-scenes effort that goes into making the day possible.

“It certainly is a certain amount of organized chaos, but it is so worth it because of the smiles, the joy it brings to the athletes, and the accomplishment they feel,” she said. “That is still the main purpose—to bring joy to them and their supporters.”

PC Students Show Up to Serve

Volunteers from across the college came together to support athletes from Laurens, Abbeville, Greenwood, McCormick, and Newberry counties. Among the many volunteers were students from the college’s Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) program, including India Jones.

“Just being able to make an impact on individuals’ lives today, bringing a smile to their face, and cheering them on—it makes me feel really happy to see others also be happy,” Jones said. “It just brings joy to my spirit.”

A Living Legacy of Service

For everyone involved, from seasoned organizers to first-time volunteers, the Special Olympics remains a cornerstone of the college’s culture of care.

“This is our biggest event every year,” said Lyle Jones. “In my opinion, it’s a perfect encapsulation of PC’s motto, ‘While We Live, We Serve.’”

As the final events of the day wrapped up and smiles lingered on the faces of athletes and volunteers alike, it was clear the spirit of the Special Olympics continues to thrive at Presbyterian College—one joyful act of service at a time.