Children, parents, teachers, volunteers and student helpers all reach for new heights at the 2024 Pierce Special Olympics
the attempt.”
So says the Special Olympics oath, and all those gathered at the 2024 Pierce County Special Olympics event lived up to that pledge.
The track and athletic field outside Pierce County Middle School (PCMS), and the gymnasium inside, were crowded with Olympians of ages ranging from 8 - 21 years old and with all differing levels of ability, plus the many more gathered there to support and cheer them on. Special Olympics Committee Chairperson Jeanne Crawford says there were at least 90 athletes and their caregivers present, plus teachers, faculty and 25 PCMS and 180 Pierce County High School volunteer helpers.
The Monday prior to the November 21 event, the 205 total student volunteers were provided lunch by First Baptist Church of Blackshear and given special training by teachers and event coordinators for how to assist as “event buddies” in the Special Olympians’ search for fun and glory. Each athlete was assigned at least one event buddy and some had two or more assigned based upon their individual needs.
The PCHS Seniors were collectively recognized as the 2024 Grand Marshals. Hopefully, they and the rest of the event buddies got in some cardio training in addition to their Monday orientation, because many of them had to keep moving, following their assigned Olympian from one event to another in a quest for ribbons in various events. All athletes received a ribbon for each event they took part in up to a maximum of three events.
Master of Ceremonies, First Baptist’s pastor, the Rev. Justin Gambrell, commenced things with the parade of the athletes and PCMS Principal Amanda Gay delivered the invocation. Then it was off to the races, literally, as well as other events. Toward the end of the event, each athlete was called down by class to receive a medal commemorating the momentous day in an award ceremony conducted by Crawford and Sarah McIntosh.
While some competed, others just had fun. Popular hit songs played over the loudspeakers and a carnival-like atmosphere reigned, featuring refreshments, a prize table, inflatable bounce houses and games as well as a movie room for those who just wanted to relax.
In the end, unlike many other sporting events, everybody present at the 2024 Pierce County Special Olympics won something, be it a medal or a feeling of pride in the place above which a medal hangs— the heart.
