03/19/2026

First responders participate in Spirit Night event

Staff

TROY — The Miami County Board of Developmental Disabilities (MCBDD) held its annual Spirit Night to finish the Miami County Special Olympics winter sports seasons on Tuesday, March 17.

This year’s event was hosted by Troy City Schools and held at Troy High School, with students serving as referees, announcers, concessions workers and a cheering section.

At Spirit Night, several Miami County First Responders played against Miami County Special Olympics athletes in a friendly game of basketball. At halftime, Miami County Special Olympics honored all winter sports athletes, including the swim team, cheerleaders, three basketball teams, as well as the season’s coaches and other volunteers.

Miami County Commissioner Wade Westfall also presented the Miami County Special Olympics Division 3 basketball team and swimmer Caleb Karnehm with certificates of achievement for bringing home gold medals from the Special Olympics Ohio Indoor Winter Games a few weeks ago.

“This celebration was a great way to observe Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month while ending our Miami County Special Olympics winter sports season,” said MCBDD Superintendent Brian Green. “We are grateful to Troy City Schools for their partnership, as well as so many first responders who volunteered their time to play our basketball teams and make the event fun and memorable.”

First responders who participated in the game include Carson Brown, Jake Coverstone and Adam Howard from Tipp City Fire Department; Deputy Brian Lyons, Deputy Chase Underwood, Deputy Trae Honeycutt, Deputy Wesley Kilby, Deputy Tabitha Thompson and Deputy K9 Rip from the Miami County Sheriff’s Office; Sarah Ray from Piqua Fire Department and Steve Young, United States Air Force Military Police.

Volunteer coaches who were honored at the event were swim coaches Hannah Ryan Hoover and Mary Ivan; cheer coach Diane Cerbus; basketball coaches Dalton Logan and Alex Darner, and additional volunteers Randy Buroker, Jesse Daniel, Johnnie Dennis, Blake Hinger, Jessica Hoffmann, Donovan Richard, Jacklyn Vietor, and Jeff Weaver, who made basketball and swim seasons possible.

Local photographer Gary Pelini also volunteered his time and talents to take player photos and action shots during the game.