photo by: Rochelle Valverde

Liberty Memorial Central Middle School sixth grader Milo Scotten, center, approaches the finish line of the Pat Grzenda Triathlon on May 4, 2022. Also pictured are Lawrence High School student Ella McLaughlin, far left, and the event's namesake, Grzenda, in white T-shirt, among the crowd.

Among the students crossing the finish line at the Lawrence High School track to cheering supporters was Milo Scotten, who picked up his pace as he ran the last 100 meters of a triathlon that had started earlier that morning.

After swimming, biking and running, Milo, 12, a sixth grader at Liberty Memorial Central Middle School, said he was “very worn out.” Still, as he gathered with the other participants in the LHS gym following the events, he was gleeful.

“I didn’t expect in a million years that I would ever be able to do three whole events,” said Milo, who was participating in the triathlon for the first time.

After a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic, the Pat Grzenda Triathlon returned for its third year on Wednesday. The event, organized by adaptive physical education teachers Jayme Savage and Brad Stoll, brings together adaptive PE students from the district’s four middle schools and two high schools. Adaptive PE is a type of physical education program designed to meet the needs of students with disabilities. The school district said 42 adaptive PE students participated Wednesday.

The event is named for Pat Grzenda, who taught adaptive physical education in the Lawrence district for 34 years before her retirement in 2011. Grzenda, who was among those cheering on the students, said she felt lucky to be a part of the event and a community that supports it. She said it was a special day for the students and also offered another message.

“It also, I think, spotlights the value of physical activity for everyone — and maybe (for) this population more than others,” Grzenda said. “It’s a way to shine a light on all of that.”

Superintendent Anthony Lewis, who began his career in public education as a special education teacher, was also in attendance Wednesday. Lewis said the event was one of his favorites, and a stark contrast to how special education was handled years ago when he began his career.

“I think this is a true testament to the inclusiveness of this district,” Lewis said. “It doesn’t matter your ability or disability, everyone is cheering everyone on.”

As for Milo, when asked how he felt after finishing all three events, he was enthusiastic about participating again in the future, as well as about getting some much-deserved rest.

“I want to do it again,” Milo said. “Later though, later though — a lot later.”