FREE TO ALL WITH VIDEO: Youth shine during Special Olympics

Poplar Bluff High School’s Haley James competes in the girls’ softball throw during Friday’s Special Olympics.

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“It’s the best day of the year because the kids get to get out and show their stuff,” said Mindy Garrett, special services coordinator for Poplar Bluff R-I Schools, as she cheered on close to 80 athletes from her district who were competing Friday at the Southeast Area Special Olympics.

“We’re proud of all of them,” Garrett said.

Earlier in the day, the athletes were sent from their individual schools to rousing cheers from their fellow students, Garrett said.

Competitors make their way down the track in a 50-meter race during Friday’s Special Olympics event at Fred M. Morrow Stadium at the Poplar Bluff Junior High School.

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Athletes from about 15 regional agencies were on hand, according to Penny Williams, development director for the Southeast Area Special Olympics.

“There’s over 160 athletes here today,” said Williams as various events took place around Fred M. Morrow Stadium at the Poplar Bluff Junior High School.

“Special Olympics models itself after Missouri high school athletics. We offer the same events they would offer in a track meet,” Williams noted.

Snow White from Clearwater R-I gives it her best effort in the girls’ softball throw Friday morning.

DAR/Paul Davis

“Standing long jump, running long jump, relay races, softball throw, shot put ... every physical level of ability has an opportunity to participate here today, and that’s what we’re all about,” Williams added.

Support for the Special Olympics, Williams said, is widespread in the region, and each year numerous volunteers turn out to keep things going smoothly.

“We have tremendous support from Poplar Bluff Junior High and High School,” she said, “and we have a fabulous support system with all of our volunteers here today.”

Alex Whitaker from Ripley County R-4 proudly shows the gold medal he won in the boys’ 100-meter run.

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Poplar Bluff High School’s Student Council brought about 30 students to help with the event, according to public relations coordinator Olivia Kirkman.

“We’re running Victory Village,” Kirkman said of the area where athletes could play fun games and pick out prizes for their efforts.

“We set up all these games and we’re giving out tickets. We’ve got prizes that we’ve bought and prizes that churches donated,” Kirkman said. “They’ll get a ticket, and they can go get a prize.”

Jaylene Casteel of Doniphan receives a medal from one of her events. It was presented by Missouri State Highway Patrol communications officer Alexsa White.

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Members of the high school’s Stand for the Silent and Beta clubs also took part.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol has a longstanding role in each year’s event, said public information officer Sgt. Clark Parrott, where they hand out the award medals.

“We’re honored to be a part of it. It is something that we look forward to,” said Parrott, who brought seven staff members to Friday’s event, all volunteers.

Joe Renn heaves the ball during the men’s shotput competition.

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Not only did the highway patrol help hand out medals Friday, but the organization also supports the Special Olympics in other ways.

“The highway patrol, and law enforcement in general in Missouri, support Special Olympics through the sale of law enforcement torch run T-shirts,” Parrott said. “Every year in May, hundreds of agencies across the state carry a flame, and we do torch runs to raise money for Special Olympics.”

Missouri’s collective torch runs to support Special Olympics, Parrott said, are the sixth largest in the world, and all money collected goes to the organization.

Fans cheer on their favorite competitors during Friday’s Special Olympics in Poplar Bluff.

DAR/Paul Davis

The Southeast Area Special Olympics, Williams said, is emotional not only for the athletes, but also for their parents and the countless volunteers who make it happen.

“I know what I feel because I see this all the time. I’m so proud and so honored,” Williams said.

“It makes you well up with tears because it’s such a special day for everyone,” said Garrett.

“I just felt really happy being here, helping set up and watching the kids run. It just made me really happy,” said freshman Student Council member Nya Cram.

Her fellow freshman, Bryden Fuemmeler, agreed.

“This event makes me really happy because I get to see all the kids run and enjoy themselves, and whenever they get that gold medal, they just smile and it really warms my heart,” Fuemmeler said. “I love doing this, and I do it every year.”

Parrott said the event should be a motivation for everyone.

“There’s just something invigorating being around these athletes and seeing what they do and how they do it and how well they perform,” Parrott said. “If you showed up in a bad mood, in about three hours you’re going to leave in a great mood.”

At the end of the day, Williams said, the Special Olympics can be life changing.

“Everybody deserves an opportunity to train and compete and be with their friends and be a part of a team,” she said. “That’s what Special Olympics is about.”