Celebrating White Cane Day!

Over 30 incredible athletes recently descended on Selah for the 11th annual White Cane Awareness Day proudly, partnering with the Northwest Association for Blind Athletes. Bringing together participants from eight different districts across Central Washington, this year’s event marked the biggest celebration yet—a showcase of determination, courage and incredible spirit!

Brittany Valicoff, a Selah teacher and event organizer, says this day is a total highlight for the students—giving them a chance to bond with their peers and dive into a lineup of fun adapted and Paralympic activities. From elementary kids to high schoolers, everyone had a blast experiencing everything from goalball (a cool team sport designed for visually impaired players), to tandem biking, and auditory frisbee golf. It was all about fun, teamwork, and plenty of unforgettable moments!

Valicoff, who teaches visually impaired learners, says White Cane Day is a fantastic way to celebrate the hard work and amazing achievements of students with vision challenges—and to shine a spotlight on the unique ways they enrich their schools and communities. She also loves that the event gets students moving and active on campus.

White Cane Day has been a national celebration in the United States every October since 1964, dedicated to honoring the incredible achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired. This special day shines a light on how individuals with vision challenges live, work, and give back to their communities with independence and pride. It’s all about celebrating their amazing abilities and successes in a sighted world—and recognizing the important contributions they make every day.

A huge shout-out to everyone who helped make White Cane Day a smashing success—and to the remarkable student participants who brought the energy and spirit!