By Megan Broome
The crowd cheered as several athletes ran around the track carrying the olympic torch, marking the opening of the 2023 Special Olympic games. Two West Henderson athletes, Lyli Wynn and Brylin Boyle, helped carried the torch around the track. The games this year were held at East Henderson High School on Friday, May 5th. Athletes from surrounding elementary, middle, and high schools participated in the events that lasted about five hours.
Some of the events included the 100 meter dash, the 200 meter dash, and the softball throw. There were various things offered during the waiting period between events for the athletes to participate in. There was a temporary print tattoo station, cornhole, volleyball, and croquet. At the concession stand there were several food and drink options for the athletes and their families to choose from. The entire day was filled with excitement and fun activities.
“My favorite part was the long jump event,” said West Henderson athlete Zoe Johnson. Johnson participated in different events including the 50 meter dash, the softball throw, and the long jump. “I liked having my family there,” Brylin Boyle said. Boyle competed in the softball throw, the 50 meter run, and the standing long jump.
In addition to the athletes and their families, several high school students and teachers attended the Special Olympics to help cheer on and support the athletes. “This was my first time ever attending the special olympics and I thought it was amazing to see the families and the kids and for them to feel so special. The smiles on their faces created a warm heart feeling,” Dana Braznell said. “It was amazing to see the different age groups and the different schools interacting together. My favorite thing was when one of the athletes was so excited to go back and show people his ribbons. My favorite events to watch were the long jump and the standing long jump.”
The team from West Henderson included Ayden Chalfin, Zoe Johnson, Caleb Ledgerwood, Hunter Redden, Brylin Boyle, Sean Hirshberg, Lyli Wynn, Trace Hopkins, Michael Valentine, and Christian Scott. All of our athletes went home with multiple medals and enjoyed a day where they got to practice modeling the Special Olympics motto, “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me brave in the attempt.”
