Swain County students, Special Olympics coordinators invite community to April 25 games at high school

Two Swain County High School athletes and the district’s Special Olympics coordinator told the Swain County Board of Education on Jan. 13 that Swain will host regional Special Olympics on April 25 and asked for community support.

Nolan Griggs, identified himself as a senior at Swain County High School, said he has competed in Special Olympics for many years and that his favorite part is the awards ceremony and hearing the crowd cheer when athletes receive medals. "I am very excited about Special Olympics being at Swain County High School this year. I can't wait for everyone to be here," he said.

Colton Jenkins, a sophomore, said the event is a "special day" when athletes run, compete in softball and walk the track, often escorted by a one-to-one buddy. "When I go to the Special Olympics, I run and compete in the softballs. After we compete, we get medals and everyone leaves with a winner," Jenkins said.

Special-education staff said the event will invite several neighboring counties and tribal communities to the Swain County High School stadium. The coordinator told the board organizers expect between 150 and 175 athletes from multiple counties, and described needs including: food for athletes and their one-to-one buddies, T-shirts for Swain athletes and volunteers, and recruitment of high-school students to serve as event volunteers and buddies.

Event details provided at the meeting said arrivals should begin around 9:30 a.m., opening ceremonies and the torch run are scheduled around 9:45–10 a.m., and most events will begin at 10 a.m. The presenter encouraged community organizations and businesses to help with food and volunteer support and said five of seven invited counties had already committed to attend.

Ending

Presenters thanked the board and community in closing and invited board members and the public to attend and support the April 25 games.