South Florida Student Forms Club to Support Special Olympics Florida

By Delanie Ross / Special Olympics Florida 

High school junior Charley Ross has founded a student-led club at her school to promote inclusive spaces and foster connections with people with intellectual disabilities. The club, called One SMILE at a TIME (Supporting Minds, Inclusion, Love, and Empowerment), partners with Special Olympics Florida to shatter stereotypes and break down barriers. 

Charley was inspired by her Uncle Tico, a Special Olympics athlete. After witnessing the joy and belonging he felt with the organization, Charley felt compelled to share that with her classmates at The Cushman School. 

“Inclusion isn't just an idea, it's a feeling, and not everyone gets to experience it," she said. "That realization pushed me to bring that same sense of belonging into my own community.” 

One SMILE at a TIME focuses on fundraising and community outreach. Members volunteer at local Special Olympics Florida events, host bake sales, and organize school-wide activities to support the cause. In the club’s first year, it raised a total of $6,519, surpassing its goal of $5,000. This year, it’s working to raise $10,000 for Special Olympics Florida's Race for Champions campaign. 

Charley said it was “super impactful” seeing the club’s work pay off and the support it received from the community. Earlier this year, Charley invited Special Olympics Florida Athlete Leaders to speak to students at her school. At this event, Charley met Athlete Leaders Carolina Puig and Shania Williams, who inspired her to keep her club going.  

One SMILE at a TIME fosters a culture of inclusion within Charley’s school and beyond, demonstrating that when people are given the opportunity, they choose “to connect, support, and build something meaningful together.”  

Charley has received the Miami Impact Award, honoring her dedication to creating more inclusive spaces and strengthening connections throughout her community. Charley’s message to other students and schools is not to be afraid to start something new.