Fayette’s special athletes demonstrated their skills and sportsmanship at the annual Fayette County Special Olympic Games held Friday at Starr’s Mill High.
Over 230 Olympians from the county’s public schools and the Joseph Sams School converged on the field of the Starr’s Mill High stadium to participate in various sporting events.
Former student Lani Demello and Deputy Superintendent Fred Oliver served as grand marshals of the Parade of Athletes. Starr’s Mill High Olympian Ben Tyrell formally opened the games with the symbolic lighting of the Olympic flame. Fellow Olympian Ike Kamulu sang the Star Spangled Banner.
As athletes arrived, the high school’s cheerleaders and drum team greeted them with fanfare. Throughout the day the Olympians enjoyed snacks and entertainment in the Olympic Village that was operated by the National Honor Society and Beta Club.
More than 300 volunteers from the Starr’s Mill High PALS Club, an extracurricular social organization whose members help students acclimate to the school, were on hand to assist athletes and operate the different stations around the field. Various clubs and classes gathered in the stands throughout the day to cheer on the athletes.
