The roar of the crowd, the dazzling phone flashlights cutting through the dark gym, and the sheer excitement on the faces of the student-athletes—this is what makes FanQuest an unforgettable experience.
At most schools, Special Olympics events happen after school hours, limiting participation to only those who can attend. But at AHS, FanQuest takes center stage during the school day, transforming a typical pep rally into a celebration of inclusivity.
“FanQuest is an event that the Special Olympics has promoted for schools. It gives students an opportunity to showcase their skills and get a real game feel that they normally wouldn’t experience,” Assistant Principal Jae Lee said. “The thing that is different about our FanQuest is that we are one of, if not the only, school that has FanQuest during the school day in a pep rally format so ALL students can attend,” he added.
For the athletes, the event is about more than just basketball—it’s about recognition.
They spend weeks preparing, practicing once or twice a week with their peers and competing in basketball tournaments leading up to FanQuest. When the big day arrives, they step onto the court, not just as players but as stars.
“The impact has been huge,” Lee said. “Most feedback that I have gotten from our athletes is that they have so much fun and they get very excited and happy to be able to play in front of their peers.”
Senior Sara Nagle, who participates in Special Olympics, describes the experience as electric.
“My favorite part about FanQuest is getting to watch our athletes play in front of the school!” she said. “It was really exciting to watch them compete in front of our entire student body.”
Beyond FanQuest, AHS continues to foster inclusion through our Best Buddies club.
The club pairs students with disabilities with general education students, forming friendships that extend beyond school hours.
Whether they’re grabbing meals, attending social events, or simply hanging out, these friendships are built on shared interests and mutual respect.
“The most rewarding part of Best Buddies has been seeing the relationships between our students and their buddies grow,” Lee said. “Standout moments include our CAT B prom, where our students and their buddies have been able to enjoy each other’s company and dance together.”
The CAT B prom, an event initially started after the county canceled its own post-COVID, has now become a beloved tradition. Taking place toward the end of the school year, it’s a day dedicated to joy and celebration.
“We spend the morning setting up Clausen Hall and helping all of the students get ready, and then in the afternoon we dance and all have lunch together,” Nagle explained. “We usually have a DJ, a bunch of fun lights and decorations, a photo booth, and other non-dancing activities. It’s overall a super fun time!”
Through FanQuest, Best Buddies, and the CAT B prom, we ensure that every student—regardless of ability has the chance to be celebrated.
As Lee puts it, the goal is simple:
“I hope that all students and spectators feel the energy and joy that our athletes will feel. I hope that this will encourage all students to get involved with the Special Olympics. And most importantly, I hope that all students are more open to accepting and including everyone, regardless of their ability, disability, or culture.”
