Branson High School hosts Job Olympics for special students

On Thursday, March 27, Branson High School hosted the annual Job Olympics, with 311 students representing 21 schools participating. Now in its seventh year, the Job Olympics is a competition for high school students with disabilities or special education needs, competing in simulation activities that mimic actual real-life job environments. 

The job simulations are set up in the high school gym, and signs for each station indicate the type of employer, such as a grocery store, department store, kitchen, restaurant, hotel, animal boarding kennel and many more, with 53 jobs to choose from. Special education teachers discuss the event with students in advance to help them select their interests and sign up for their choice of three jobs for the competition. 

The Job Olympics is not only fun and an activity with friends, but also a pivotal part of transition to a post-secondary lifestyle, said Tracy Hall, who coordinates transition services for Branson High School. It gives students an opportunity to showcase their talents to potential employers; provides a supportive environment to gain valuable experience and enhance their skills; and helps boost confidence, as they realize there are many opportunities in the workforce for them to use those skills. 

“These students possess an immense amount of potential,” said Hall, “and Job Olympics is an avenue for students to harness their abilities and show employers they are ready for the workforce!” 

The event included an opening ceremony with Brian Reed of Coffee Creations serving as master of ceremonies. Dylan Pratt, also with Coffee Creations, sang the National Anthem; and the ceremony also included The Amazing Acrobats with the Shanghai Circus. Competition judges were area business owners and professionals from the community and in education. Volunteers helping host and staff the event also included professionals from the community, as well as adults who participate in programs at Tantone Industries, Barnabas Prep, Stone County Board, and Coffee Creations. 

After the opening ceremony, students proceeded to the gym where volunteers guided them through the various competition stations. They were proud of their bed-making speed and cleaning expertise at the hotel/hospitality station; eagerly showed off neat results stocking grocery shelves at the “Country Mart” area; counted back correct change for a simulated purchase; quickly loaded a dishwasher; and set a neat restaurant dining table—and much more. 

Several students also enjoyed interacting with “Cash,” the new therapy/support dog for Blue Eye schools, who attended the event with Superintendent Kelli Alumbaugh to support their students and meet new ones. As many of the students enjoy animals, the animal care station was a popular competition, where students transferred stuffed dogs to temporary holding kennels and were evaluated on how quickly and thoroughly they could clean the original kennel. 

All of the special education teachers attending said it is something their students look forward to; and the excitement was evident as students eagerly got off the buses at BHS to begin their morning of fun and competition. Area employers are encouraged to coordinate with school transition personnel about their staffing needs and help these wonderful students find their place contributing to their communities!