Cumberlands Student Creates Field Day for Local Students with Special Needs

When Makayla Harr, a junior at University of the Cumberlands, told the mother of a local high school student with special needs about a field day she and her fellow Student Government Association members were planning, the woman broke down in tears.

“I told her how we planned to begin the event with prayer and the national anthem, and she started crying,” Makayla said.

Unlike many other high school students, her son had never participated in a sporting event that included these familiar traditions. Moments often taken for granted carried a deeper meaning for this family. The mother was moved that Cumberlands students cared enough to create an event where her son could experience something so simple, yet so meaningful.

Turning an Idea into Opportunity

Recently, Makayla used her role as SGA’s community outreach coordinator to create a field day for students in local special education programs. Groups from Whitley County, Williamsburg, and South Laurel traveled to the Williamsburg High School football field for a day of relay races, throwing competitions, sprints, and dance breaks, all culminating in a celebratory cookout.

The goal was to create an accessible sports competition where every student could participate, showcase their abilities, and most importantly, have fun.

“Sometimes we unintentionally downplay the abilities of students with special needs. This event offered a chance to challenge those misconceptions by celebrating student abilities and raising awareness about the importance of opportunities like these,” Makayla shared.

A Community Effort

The event was made possible through strong collaboration between campus and community. More than 25 Cumberlands students and around 15 community members and professionals volunteered their time to referee, cheer, coordinate logistics, and serve food.

“When our SGA group first sat down and considered this event, we all wondered how we were going to actually make it happen,” Makayla said. “But I knew we would come together to do it.”

Emily Couch, director of student activities at Cumberlands, explained that the volunteer turnout was the result of intentional, grassroots effort led by Makayla and her peers.

“They started calling their friends and explaining the need,” Couch said. “It was incredible to watch them take ownership of this event and lead in that way.”

Though Makayla and her peers stepped up in a big way, the surrounding community also played a vital role.

“We had parents donate water, snacks, and money for pizza. Williamsburg High School athletics donated their space and equipment. Everyone was so supportive in making this possible,” she said.

A Day That Celebrated Ability

On the day of the event, each group arrived ready to show off their skills. Hand-painted banners created by Cumberlands students welcomed each school and marked gathering areas. Student participants grinned ear to ear, eager to represent their schools and take part in friendly competition.

While participation at each station was optional, volunteers encouraged every student to do their best, adapting activities to meet individual needs.

At one point, a Williamsburg student with cerebral palsy competed in a sprint with the help of a classmate. As the two crossed the finish line together, the crowd erupted in cheers.

“Seeing these students’ growth, their social skills and life skills evolve, is so meaningful,” said Jackie Harr, a special education MSD teacher at Williamsburg. “A day like this celebrates not just their diversity, but their abilities, too. I hope this event continues in the future because the joy on their faces shows how important it is to the community.”

Craig Hensley, a teacher’s aide at Whitley County High School, echoed that sentiment.

“This event is a great opportunity to build community, promote inclusion, and give students a chance to come together and have fun,” he said. “The fact that Cumberlands is willing to use its platform to bring people together and create joy, I think it’s a beautiful thing.”

Student Leadership in Action

What began as an idea within Student Government Association became something much bigger—a reflection of the servant leadership and student-centered mission at University of the Cumberlands.

By creating space for every local student to participate and be celebrated, Makayla and her peers helped redefine what inclusion can look like in their community.