By
Desirae Cope
MTSU
Raider Shake Down Reporter
MURFREESBORO, Tenn.—
Special Olympians cheered each other to the finish line at Middle Tennessee
State University during the Area 16 Special Olympics tournament at 10 a.m.
April 8.
Area 16 Assistant Director
John Harris said that special olympians from Rutherford County, Murfreesboro
City Schools, and local adult developmental centers are trained by their
teachers for six to eight weeks prior to the games. He has been involved with
the area’s Special Olympics for 28 years.
“I’ve been told by many
aids that the children have become more independent,” Harris said.
His goal is to get every
disabled child to participate in the competition, but he said that he was quite
happy with the number of attendees. A total of 454 athletes
stood excited on the Hayes Track to compete at the 28th annual
Spring Games Track and Field Meet. The competitors were so eager to participate
that they hardly noticed the cold breeze that blew over the field.
Jordan Fee, a
15-year-old from Blackman Middle school, was especially eager to get started.
“Is it my turn yet?” he
asked his father.
Very few people stood in
the stands. Everyone was out on the field sharing enthusiasm with one another.
Children from participating schools came to root for their peers, holding up signs
and banners.
Jordan’s father, Gary
Fee, said that his son is more outgoing since he joined the games three years
ago. He explained that the athletes get to pick two events to participate in.
After each competition, they receive a colored ribbon depending on how they
placed. Jordan won first place for both of his competitions, the softball
throw-off and the 50-yard dash.
“I wish we could get him
this interested in reading,” Fee said. “He gets so excited to come here every
year.”
Jordan attends Blackman
Middle School and enjoys farming with his family.
“Everyone gets their
chance to shine,” Harris said. “This is their day.”
Volunteers from all the
schools come together to help make this a special day. Dozens of MTSU athletes
walked the contenders through each event. Everyone was encouraging and
cheerful.
“I would like to thank
the community for all their support and involvement,” Harris concluded.
Donate today and help
another child smile with the feeling of achievement. You can visit www.specialolympics.org
to explore the three ways to donate.
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