This Is Iowa: The Big Game in Newton gives everyone a chance to shine

The energy in the Newton High School gym is electric as students take the court.The Big Game provides an opportunity for special education students to shine — fueled by the pep band, cheerleaders, a packed student section and their parents."This is my moment. My big moment," Newton senior Sam Simon said.Sam has been practicing for weeks, preparing for the crowd to see him and his classmates in the spotlight. "It's everything you would see on a typical Friday night," Newton mom Laura Satterfield said. "They're getting their moment just like every other student does."The tradition, which was started 15 years ago by Newton teachers, provides a lesson in encouragement and joy for everyone."The crowd is probably just as important as the baskets that the kids make," teacher Tina Stammeyer said.A the end of the game, classmates rushed the court, celebrating their peers. "It's indescribable. What you feel as a parent when you see the community come around the kids like they do," Newton dad Aaron Russell said. More from the June 2023 This Is Iowa episode: This Is Iowa: Family's historic trek spurs wagon ride across IowaThis Is Iowa: The Jesse J Sanctuary is a place of peace for those dealing with cancerThis Is Iowa: Newton's prize pig Joy is the star of the show