DERRY — When this day rolls around at Pinkerton, everyone knows it's a chance to catch up with old friends. And friendship was the name of the game for all the students participating in the 16th annual Betty Shepard Unified Arts Physical Education Field Day, held at Pinkerton's Hackler gym on May 28.

The day is named for retired Pinkerton faculty member Betty Shepard, a pioneer of the Pinkerton's unified arts physical education class where students with varying degrees of physical and learning challenges are paired with their peers for integrated activities, sports and friendship.

The day recognizes Shepard for her part in starting the unified physical education class and running the Field Day event for 14 years before retiring in 2007.

The day brought together not only Pinkerton students, but those representing other schools in the area including Londonderry, Salem, Goffstown, Alvirne, and Merrimack — all invited to come to Pinkerton each year to participate in events like relay races, free-throw basketball contests, races and throwing contests. A total of 170 students attended the event.

Pinkerton special education staffer Lisa Pratte said all the schools on site at the field day have developed their own integrated physical education programs, teaming up challenged students with their peers to forge friendships, support systems and a sense of acceptance.

"When field day comes around, our students are coming together as old friends to compete," she said. "There is a strong sense of competition, but you also see the students cheering on athletes from different teams. They all want to win, but they love to see other people succeed also."

Pratte said the regular unified arts physical education class is popular, open to seniors, and usually with a waiting list of students who want to be part of the class.

"Our unified physical education, or PE, class has become one of Pinkerton's most popular classes; we have waiting lists each semester of at least 25 kids who would like to enroll," Pratte said.

She added that Unified PE kids with a variety of abilities participate in PE together.

"It's an opportunity for kids with very different academic backgrounds to learn together and from each other and again, some pretty special friendships are created, she said.

Pratte said she is always amazed at how Pinkerton students step up and work as a team to pull off this huge, one-day event.

"It's obvious they love to play and race, and that they love to have fun, but they have really learned the concept of teamwork," she said.

At the end of the day, Salem and Pinkerton teams tied for first place in total points competition. Salem High won the Team Spirit Award and Merrimack High won the Team Sportsmanship Award. Ribbons went to the top six finishers in each event and every student earned a participation ribbon.

But it's not winning or losing that means the most on this special day, Pratte said. It's the joy of working together, accomplishing goals and having fun.

"Today I was able to see how well our students work together and one more time got confirmation that when kids are given a chance to work together, regardless of ability or disability, their possibilities are endless," she said.