Students compete in the Colquitt County Special Olympic Winter Games
Published 12:00 pm Monday, November 25, 2024
Zack the Husky, mascot for Special Olympic Winter Games, helps open the games at the Opening Ceremony.
During the Colquitt County Special Olympic Winter Games, C.A. Gray Junior High (pink shirts) and Colquitt County High School, (red shirts) compete in basketball.
Colquitt County High School volunteer Davis Reed, a sophomore, plays a tennis ball drop game with Jenil Tiwari of Stringfellow Elementary School during the Colquitt County Special Olympic Winter Games.
Ivan Luna of Odom Elementary School competes in dribbling skills during the Colquitt County Special Olympic Winter Games.
From the left, Conner Kendall and Bryson Owens of Cox Elementary School, play a giant game of Jenga at the Colquitt County Special Olympic Winter Games.
Zack the Husky and student athletes have fun during the Colquitt County Special Olympic Winter Games. In the back, with Zack, is Zaikyri Cokely and in the foreground, from the left, are Ivan Luna and James Moxley, all of Odom Elementary.
MOULTRIE — There were nothing but winners at the Colquitt County Special Olympic Winter Games Friday — student athletes, teachers, coaches, volunteers and parents.
The annual event was held at Colquitt County High School, Freckles Skate Center, Strike Zone 10 and the YMCA.
Tara Torbert, member of the Local Colquitt County Special Olympics Management Team, said that many hours go into planning the Winter Games.
“Hundreds of athletes, coaches and volunteers are able to enjoy this special day because of the dedication of our directors, PJ Jones and Mitchell McKinney and the local management team,” she said. “Without their planning and efforts, this would not be possible.”
She added that the games would also not be possible without the volunteers that help the athletes with disabilities compete in their favorite sports.
Athletes competed in gymnastics, swimming, skating, bowling and various basketball events after the Opening Ceremony, which is a long standing tradition that shows respect for the athletes and the games, Torbert said.
During the ceremony, student athletes gave a special, musical performance that encouraged the audience to “try everything.”
Also, during the ceremony, Jayden Williams gave the Special Olympics Athlete Oath: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
The games were officially opened by Cox Elementary School Principal Kristi Gonzales, who said, “Today we celebrate the determination, courage and joy of every athlete. Packer family, it is my honor to say, ‘Let the Games begin!’”
The Colquitt County School District schools that had teams competing in the Winter Games were Vereen, Funston Elementary, Sunset Elementary, Okapilco Elementary, Odom Elementary, Hamilton Elementary, Stringfellow Elementary, Cox Elementary, C.A. Gray Junior High, Willie J. Williams Middle School and Colquitt County High School.
Crysti Handfield, special education teacher at CCHS and swimming coach, said, “Special Olympics is one of my favorite days of the year! Watching my athletes say the oath, tote our school banner, light the flame, and compete in the pool … There’s just nothing better than watching them be celebrated!”
To follow the Colquitt County Special Olympics, go to their Facebook page or to the Colquitt County School District page, under the Special Education Department section.
