Trojan Games provide day of fun for special needs students

Published 1:21 pm Thursday, March 5, 2026

Northeast Lauderdale elementary, middle and high school students with special needs enjoyed a day of fun and games just for them on Thursday as the Northeast High School Navy JROTC cadets hosted their annual Trojan Games.

Among the Trojan Games activities were frisbee, cornhole, bowling and more as Northeast High Navy JRTOC welcomed special needs students to the high school on Thursday. Photo by Thomas Howard

Now in its third year, the Trojan Games are an opportunity for special needs students to take part in activities they may not otherwise be able to enjoy. From playing catch with a frisbee to shooting soccer goals, playing corn hole and more, the games, and NJROTC cadets make sure no one misses out on the fun.

“They can come in, they can get together with their peers doing sports like athletes, and they can have a good day to be themselves,” said Cadet Executive Officer Chemiyah Denman.

Cadet Commanding Officer Allie Dean said the response to the event has been great, both from the students who participate in the games and the community that supports the event.

Northeast NJROTC Cmdr. Chad West said the Trojan Games were started after he tried to bring his own experiences with the Special Olympics to Northeast schools. While he wanted to bring athletic opportunities to the schools’ special needs students, the format of Special Olympics just didn’t work. Instead, the Trojan Games were born.

“We wanted to do something like that where we could come along side of Special Olympics and be a partner, but they just don’t have things that were a good fit for us,” he said. “And so we decided, let’s just host something here at the high school.”

In addition to providing a fun opportunity for special needs students and giving back to the community, West said the Trojan Games also teach life skills cadets will need later on. Months of planning go into each year’s games, with the NJROTC cadets working to plan, organize and carry out the event.

“So we talk about all those life skills, and so we feel like this ice a building block to that. This is the goal is to complete a Trojan Games. What have we got to do to make that happen,” he said. “We walk through those phases of preparation and planning.”

Sometimes ideas work out, West said, and sometimes they don’t. Regardless of the outcome, the cadets are learning valuable skills.

Lt. Nathan Polichnia, who started at Northeast Lauderdale this year, said it’s great to see students having a good time and be involved in making that happen. While much of this year’s planning went on without him, he said he looks forward to joining in making next year’s Trojan Games come to life.

“So far it’s been awesome to watch. I just did a quick walk around there, but all the kids are having a blast right now. It’s really cool to know you’re a part of that,” he said.

The Northeast NJROTC does need community support to put on each year’s Trojan Games, Denman said, and cadets accept donations and hold fundraisers to raise the necessary funds. For those who are able, contributing to the NJROTC is greatly appreciated.

“Give your support if you can,” she said.