The Special Olympics at Presbyterian College's Bailey Memorial Stadium was a resounding success, with a record-breaking 428 athletes from Abbeville, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, and Newberry counties in attendance, on Friday, April 4th. The event was a vibrant celebration of the talents and determination of individuals with special needs, and highlighted the community's support for these exceptional athletes.
The day's festivities kicked off with a burst of energy as athletes gathered to compete in various events, including a track race and a ball-throwing competition. Adding to the excitement, the PC mascot, Scottie, made a special appearance, generating cheers and smiles from the crowd.
The atmosphere was lively, with cheering crowds and supportive volunteers creating a sense of community from the start.
“I'm really excited that this day is finally here, we have prepared for a very long time. It always ends up being the best day ever," said Shelby Thomas, Area 5 Director and Event Coordinator. "I've been involved since '09, and we've never had this many athletes… It’s very exciting, these guys come out here, and they do their best, they have fun, and they talk about it the rest of the year.”
Polly Martin, a Special Needs Teacher at Joanna-Woodson Elementary School, praised the event, saying, "This is one of the best days of the year for my kids, they get so excited. They love the games, they love seeing the kids that they've been in school with, they love the cheering, and the atmosphere… This is the best school day out of our year, it's amazing. We love it, we all look forward to this event every year.”
In front of the stadium, a small area dubbed "Olympic Town" offered a range of fun activities, beyond the competition. The area included games like basketball, giant connect four, and corn-hole, as well as sensory toys and activities like hula hoops and temporary tattoos. Kids also enjoyed trying on football gear from PC football players, with their help. Free pom poms, blue PC bracelets, and more were handed out by PC Student Volunteers. Cotton candy was available for sale, and free water was provided to help keep everyone hydrated on the hot and sunny day.
The event was a huge success for the students, according to Felicia Cannon, a Special Needs Instructional Assistant at Clinton High School. "We’re having a great time, and our children are having fun. They get to meet others like them, not just from their school, and they get to experience the joy of competition. It's a very important day for them."
Cristan Butler, a Special Needs Instructional Assistant at Joanna-Woodson Elementary School, expressed her gratitude for the volunteers, supporters, and organizers. "It's going really well, we've had a blast. Everyone has been so wonderful and supportive. It's days like these that remind us why we do what we do, and we're honored to share them with our community."
Awards were presented individually at a table under a designated tent, allowing athletes to receive their medals and recognition for their achievements. Next to the awards tent, a tri-level podium allowed athletes to stand together for fun photo opportunities, capturing memories of their special day.
The Presbyterian College community can be proud of the event's success, which created a day filled with joy, excitement, and unforgettable memories for the athletes and their families. With the success of this year's event, anticipation is already building for next year's Special Olympics, which promises to be just as inspiring and fun.
Click here to view the full photo gallery from this event!
Click here to view the video coverage from this event!
-- Photos by Victoria Steele and Christen Tollison
