Family, friends, school officials and community members filled Jaguar Stadium at New Manchester High School on Wednesday as they proudly welcomed the annual Douglas County Special Olympics. The Program for Exceptional Children coordinated the highly-anticipated event where children and adults showcased their talents in a variety of games and athletic competitions.
”These phenomenal students prepare for this moment year-round and we are deeply grateful and proud of everyone’s hard work and unwavering commitment to make it a reality. The Special Olympics is about creating a platform where every athlete can show their abilities, where barriers are broken and where the true spirit of sportsmanship shines brightest,” said Cheryl Handley, Executive Director of Special Education.
The exciting festivities kicked off with opening ceremonies led by participating athletes singing the Star Spangled Banner and carrying the Olympic Torch. Community volunteers then hosted the eager athletes at their designated gaming stations.
Adam Takach, Vice President of Natson Hotel Group, expressed genuine gratitude for the opportunity to support students participating in the Special Olympics each year.
“We have been coming to this event for the past three years and love being here every single year,” he said. “We’ve increased our participating managers from 14 to 20 this year compared to previous years. Our team looks forward to dedicating the time to take care of the students in our community.”
Athletes were paired with buddies for the activities, while onlookers admired their competitiveness in various events such as softball throw, long jump, track, motor training and soccer. Additionally, Kona Ice sold tropical treats, creating an extra-fun-filled event with the sunny skies and mild spring breeze.
As the festivities concluded, ribbons were awarded to all student-athletes, with additional ribbons awarded to first, second and third place winners in their respective categories.
Congratulations to all of the participants!