Since its start at Valley Regional High School (VRHS) seven years ago, Buddy Track has thrived year after year thanks to several Valley students who have taken the baton first passed down by Morgan Hines. Buddy Track gives local kids with special needs a chance to practice track and field events alongside their “buddies,” who are eighth grade students and higher.

“It’s a wonderful program. Parents thank us and it’s all because of Mike Ryan, who has taken over this program,” said Tim King, a VRHS teacher and the school’s varsity football coach. “Mike has done a wonderful job...”

Each new coordinator takes over the program for two years. This is Ryan’s first, following his brother Danny Ryan. Other past program leaders include Johnny Capezzone, and Morgan Hines. Although it’s his first year being the lead coordinator, Ryan said he’s been helping out “pretty much since 8th grade.”

Ryan, a junior, said a lot goes into fundraising for this program. Last year new hurdles were needed and this year new javelins had to be purchased. Ryan has coordinated the fundraising as well as gathering the many sponsors who support the program.

This year’s list of sponsors includes Deep River Parks and Recreation, Gorilla Graphics, Wildwood Pediatrics, Child and Adult Orthodontics, Deep River Pizza, Miss Stacie’s Partnership, and The Center for Children with Special Needs.

For the three-week 2018 session, the program has 25 athletes accompanied by 25 buddies, as well as 15 parents who are involved, including Ryan’s mother, Kathryn.

“Everyone’s having a great time this year. There’s a lot of smiles on the kids’ faces,” Ryan said. “Parents are very appreciative of it and the kids have a good time.”

In the program, VRHS and John Winthrop Middle School teachers and coaches, along with many students who participate in Valley’s track and field team, teach participants six events: the 100 meter dash, hurdles, javelin, high jump, long jump, and shot put

Valley’s Buddy Track program has been so successful that Ryan said a program has also been started in Madison..

The 2018 Buddy Track session wrapped upon May 16. For more information or to donate to the 2019 session, contact Michael Ryan at 860-767-1743 or the Deep River Parks & Recreation Office at 860-526-6036.