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Local News - March 2003 |
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Special athletes value courage above competition More than medals March 7, 2003 - “My step-dad taught me to bowl,” he says. Love hasn’t been able to beat his step-father yet but did pretty well Thursday. “It’s pretty cool. I’m winning.” Regardless of the outcome, Special Olympians vow to enjoy the competition by reciting the Special Olympics Oath — Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt. Lisa Frazier, Lincoln County Special Olympics coordinator, says they do just that. She commends the volunteers as well as the participants in Special Olympics event. “If people would just come out and watch them compete … it’s such a joy,” she says. Students and parents volunteered Thursday. Sandenise Shropshire, a senior at East Lincoln High School, finds the experience rewarding. She has volunteered with Special Olympics for four years. “It’s fun helping the kids out. It makes you more thankful for what you have,” she says. Shropshire says the experience will help her in her future career. “I want to go to school and be a teacher,” she says. “I thought this would help me get ready for it.” Frazier says volunteers are always needed, from buddies to coaches. The program expands every year, Frazier says. With the addition of each new sport comes an even greater need for assistance. Lincoln County will compete in the state gymnastics competition for the first time this year. Frazier says in the next year soccer, volleyball and softball will be added to the program. Swimming kicks off Saturday at the YMCA. “People think that that Special Olympics is a one time thing, but we have year-round events.” Winners from Thursday’s bowling competition will go on to compete at the state level in the fall. But competition is just around the corner for Lincoln County Special Olympians. The Spring Games will be Friday, April 25 at Lincolnton High School. More than 200 athletes will compete in the annual event. Special Olympics of Lincoln County is a non-profit county agency. The program serves approximately 250 people, ages 8 to adult. —————————— Anyone who would like to volunteer with the Spring Games should call Melody Geer, 704-732-6064 or Lisa Frazier, 704-483-5233.
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© 2001 Lincoln Times-News |
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