The 2023 Pierce County Special Olympics returned to Pierce County Middle School (PCMS) after a three year hiatus last Thursday (March 30).
Athletes from pre-k to high school competed in a wide variety of events including, the long-jump, tennis throw, 50 meter dash, 100 meter dash and more.
First held in 2008, the Pierce County Special Olympics originally featured only sporting events, but has grown to include much more.
This year’s games featured an Olympic Village with face painting and other activities, a movie room and a parent resource room where numerous vendors educated athletes’ parents and guardians on businesses and services in the community designed to meet their needs.
At the opening ceremony, Pierce County School Superintendent Dara Bennett welcomed athletes and family members to the days’ festivities, followed by a special presentation from Special Olympics Committee Chair Jeanne Crawford.
Presentation of the colors was led by Lenorado Sanchez and J’lon Kelly of Blackshear Elementary School (BES).
Qua’Nya Phillips of BES led the Pledge of Allegiance before the PCMS Eighth Grade Band performed the National Anthem.
Kiley Rager of PCMS recited the Special Olympics Oath, leading up to the running of the torch.
Torch runners at this year’s ceremony included Bentley McBee and Mikean Wilson of BES, Bentley Allday and Layton Hale of PCMS and students Landon Hayes and Matthew Williamson of Pierce County High School (PCHS).
This year’s Master of Ceremonies was Dr. Bill Young and a group of PCHS seniors — Julianna Flynn, Faye Smith, Taliyah Lincoln, Brandin Tidwell, Riya Patel, Connor Davis and Tenia Oliver— served as the joint 2023 grand marshals.
Chloe Crews, a PCMS student, designed this year’s program and T-shirt.
Lunch was provided by First Baptist Church of Blackshear.
Special thanks was extended to Ascension Blackshear Family Practice, Bennett, Bennett and Johnson Insurance Agency, Blackshear Elementary School, Blackshear Exchange Club, Coca-Cola, First Baptist Church of Blackshear, Five Points Lawn Center, Heritage Bank, Huckleberry Apparel, Kimbrell Veterinary Clinic, Midway Elementary School, Patterson Elementary School, Pierce County Middle School, the PCMS cafeteria staff, the PCMS student council, Pierce County High School, the PCHS student council, Pierce Timber, Prime South, Sunset T’s and Walmart Neighborhood Market.
