By Jean Shanley
05/15/08
May 14, 2008 09:23 pm
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WEST MEAD TOWNSHIP — She stands patiently, her ponytail bouncing in the breeze.
But Emily Pratt doesn’t seem to mind the cool wind. She is ready to run. Minutes later, as Miss Meadville Outstanding Teen Annie Grill calls the names of the competitors for each race, Emily hears her name.
With a quick smile to her parents, Randy and Marlene Pratt of Meadville, and other supporters, Emily moves to the starting line.
Grill gives the familiar instructions: “On your mark, get set, go!”
Emily was one of 325 competitors at the annual Special Olympics track and field day Wednesday at the Crawford County Fairgrounds. Each wore a blue Special Olympics shirt — and most wore smiles as they took their turns competing.
It was a day to honor achievements, and Emily had plenty to celebrate. When the race was over, she had won a red ribbon for finishing second in the 50-yard dash.
“Good job,” her parents said, and Emily smiled. “It was fun,” she said. She added the ribbon to a white one (fourth place) she already won in the long jump competition — and promised to place first in the next race.
Others celebrating included April Jackson, 10, of Meadville, whose grandmother, Melvina Jackson, took her to the event. April was competing for the second year and won a blue ribbon for first place in the standing broad jump and a red ribbon for the 100-yard race — and she had more events scheduled. Her grandmother said April has been going to Special Olympics events since she was in first grade, cheering other competitors until she was in third grade and eligible for the competition.
Katie Gosnell, 10, of Meadville, a daughter of Caleb Derourchie and Tracey Gosnell, was another Special Olympian enjoying the day. She has been attending since she was 5, but couldn’t compete until she was 8.
These three young girls were excited about the ribbons, but also about the experience, eager to move from one event to the next — the perfect message for the many people who organize and run Special Olympics events.
Volunteers — from high school students to adults who took time off from their jobs — assisted the athletes as they moved to each competition, and cheered for them as they competed. The Special Olympians also got high fives and hugs, not only from their parents, but from other supporters and the volunteers.
Emily, a fifth-grader at Cochranton Elementary School, has been participating in Special Olympics for three years. She was the only one from her school to enter this year, and her classmates made a big banner that each one signed to wish her luck. Her mother said Emily will have fun showing the ribbons to them.
When it came time for 100-yard dash, Emily was ready.
“I can do it,” she told her parents as she moved to the starting line.
When she was finished, she returned, flashing a huge smile — and a blue ribbon.
A few minutes later she competed in a softball throw and won another blue ribbon, which she proudly showed off for everyone to celebrate with her.
It had been a good day for Emily, who was still smiling as she headed to the Olympic Village for other activities.
It’s been a hectic week for Emily, her mother said. Not only was she getting ready for Special Olympics, she also was rehearsing for her part in this weekend’s recital by Kristine’s School of Dance, where she is a student.
Banners made by schools and other agencies which serve Special Olympians proudly declared “Our Athletes Shine” as they decorated the fences around the fairgrounds race track.
Indeed they did, and the smiles were as bright as the sun on the banners which warmed the heart despite the cool wind.
SPECIAL AWARDS
A total of 335 Special Olympians participated in the 34th annual Crawford County Special Olympics track and field meet Wednesday at the Crawford County Fairgrounds.
Donna Johnson, local publicity chairman for Special Olympics, said the number of participants was down slightly because of cool weather. The event was at the fairgrounds for the first time, a move made because it has more space than former locations.
But the unfavorable weather didn’t dampen the spirits of the Olympians or the more than 400 volunteers who showed up.
Awards for banners designed by area students and agencies were presented for the following.
Best design, elementary schools: Saegertown, first; Oil City, second;
Best design, middle schools: Meadville, first; Saegertown, second;
Best design, high schools: Meadville Area Senior High’s Life Support/Life Skills Class, first; Linesville, second;
Best design, adult — UCIP (United Community Independence Programs), first; and Child to Child Family Connections, second.
Trophies were provided by Meadville Area Federal Credit Union. Area tool shop volunteers assisted with preparing the course. Pat Stickner registered athletes, and Beth Reichel registered volunteers.
Thurston House volunteers coordinated an “Olympic Village,” and Meadville Sertoma Club had its concession stand open.
Carol Caler is local manager of Special Olympics, which is for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and is designed to provide them with opportunities for health and fitness, to allow them to share their gifts and talents with others, and to develop courage and self-esteem.
Next year will be the 35th annual track and field meet in Crawford County and plans are to have a special celebration, Johnson said.
The program is provided at no charge to participants. Families interested in having a family member participate may call 337-5918.
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