IF YOU GOWhat: The 36th annual Catoosa County Special Olympics. Special Olympics is an athletic program open to students with physical and intellectual disabilities. The program offers equestrian, swimming, bocce ball, soccer and basketball skills and bowling throughout the school year and concludes with track and field events modeled on the Olympics. The family of Roscoe Whaley, a Special Olympian who died earlier this spring due to complications from his disability, will be honored during opening ceremonies and this year’s events are being dedicated to that fallen Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School student.When/Where: Friday, beginning with a 9 a.m. parade that begins at the Ringgold Depot and proceeds through downtown followed by opening ceremonies and competition at Ringgold High School.Cost: Free. Spectators are welcome to cheer these special athletes.
The 36th annual Catoosa County Special Olympics ceremony gets started Friday morning with a parade through downtown Ringgold.
“It is very rewarding,” said Becky Conner, special education director for Catoosa County Public Schools. “I always say it it the best day of the year.”
While that parade and its associated hoopla will find hundreds of student competitors and their families, volunteers and local officials proceeding from the train depot to the high school, it will not be the day’s high point. The highlight reel for this and any Special Olympics will show participants who must overcome personal challenges as well as compete against other special education students in their chosen event or events.
“Just seeing the kids faces makes it worthwhile – it is their day,” said Danielle Pickett, whose son Logan attends Heritage Middle School and will compete Friday with other Special Olympians. “To me, it is good to see him excel at something sportswise, to do things other parents take for granted.”
Becky Little, whose sons Garrett and Matthew attend Ringgold Elementary, echoed that sentiment.
“As a parent, it is nice for them to have a platform where they can be successful,” she said. “It is heartwarming to see them perform. Grandparents, cousins – everybody from our family – comes out to cheer them on”
About 1,500 of the school system’s total enrollment of nearly 10,500 students attend special education classes during the year and about 250 are expected to take part in Friday’s competition, officials said.
The family of Roscoe Whaley, a Special Olympian who died earlier this spring due to complications from his disability, will be honored during opening ceremonies and this year’s events are being dedicated to that fallen Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School student.
Technically, students must have an intellectual disability to qualify for Special Olympics, said Robin Smith, Special Olympics coordinator for the school system. But because Catoosa County does not offer Paralympic Games, kids in wheelchairs are allowed to compete and possibly advance in the Special Olympics.
Throughout the year special education students take part in equestrian, bowling, gymnastics/dance, basketball, winter sports and swimming competitions. Friday marks the end of the school year’s adaptive athletics and offers opportunities for top athletes to advance to the state championships in Atlanta later this month.
The day will progress like any other track meet with the exception that track and field events are adapted to meet the students’ needs, Smith said. Participants will have buddies as needed. For example, she said blind runners will have sighted peers at their side during races.
“Special Olympics is completely funded through volunteer donations,” Smith said. “Gateway Bank and Trust has been a major supporter for several years – without them I don’t think we would be able to stage this event – and the Battlefield Civitan Club is the main volunteer group.”