Special Olympians bring home smiles, medals
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on April 25, 2005 1:46 PM
Special Olympics Wayne County held its last and largest event of the year this week. Track and field games took place at Dillard Middle School on Wednesday and Thursday.
Running, standing, and throwing events were held for walkers and wheelchair participants. On Wednesday, the games were directed at students over 21 years old, with 250 students from ages 8-21 taking part in Thursday's events.
Beth Rivenbark, coordinator of the local Special Olympics program, said 14 public schools sent representatives to the younger student games. Those included Carver Elementary, Edgewood Community Developmental, Fremont STARS Elementary, Southern Wayne High, Rosewood Elementary, Rosewood High, Tommy's Road Elementary, Carver Heights Elementary, Eastern Wayne Middle, Eastern Wayne High, Norwayne Middle, Brogden Middle, Goldsboro High, and Northwest Elementary schools.
Named adult athlete of the year was 23-year-old Melissa Stanford. Representing the younger students, Deshawn Thomas, 11-year-old student at Edgewood Community Developmental School, was named student athlete of the year.