More than 300 athletes gather for Special Olympics

by Staff Pioneer Times
9 years ago
By Kevin Sjoberg
Staff Writer
 
SPECOCLAPARADE 17704377Staff Photo/Kevin Sjoberg
ATHLETES FROM the Community Living Association in Houlton were near the front of the parade during opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics Spring Games, held May 13 at the Presque Isle Middle School’s Johnson Athletic Complex.  
 

PRESQUE ISLE — Three hundred and two athletes, representing more than 30 schools and organizations, converged at the Gehrig Johnson Athletic Complex at Presque Isle Middle School May 13 for the 40th annual Aroostook County Special Olympics Spring Games.

Several volunteers, including National Honor Society chapters from several Aroostook County high schools, the Maine State Police and other law enforcement officials and employees from longtime supporters Maine Mutual Group and WAGM-TV, were also on hand to assist and cheer on the athletes.

 

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DARBY KEEGAN of Fort Fairfield Middle High School lights the flame along with George Harris of the Maine Forest Service to signify the official opening of the Special Olympic Spring Games, held May 13 in Presque Isle.  
 

The opening ceremonies included a parade, which was marshaled by the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus of Fort Fairfield and the Fort Fairfield Special Olympians. The Presque Isle Middle School band, under the direction of Patrick Bragdon, provided music during the parade.

 

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DARBY KEEGAN of Fort Fairfield Middle High School was designated Guardian of the Flag and carried the Special Olympics torch and lit the flame along with George Harris of the Maine Forest Service as part of the opening ceremonies to the Spring Games May 13.  
 

Darby Keegan of Fort Fairfield was designated as Guardian of the Flag and joined the Maine Forest Service’s George Harris in carrying in and lighting the Special Olympics flame.

As part of the ceremony, in which Gary Bowden served as the master of ceremonies, PIMS student Kacie Chapman sang the National Anthem, Pastor Dave Sylvain of the Presque Isle Wesleyan Church gave the invocation and PIMS Principal Anne Blanchard welcomed the athletes.

 

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THE FORT FAIRFIELD Special Olympians were the lead group in the parade of athletes that preceded this year’s Spring Games held in Presque Isle May 13.  
 

Two presentations were also made. Duane Belanger, the Polar Dip Coordinator for Aroostook County, and Mark Bourgoin, the council treasurer for the Aroostook County Knights of Columbus, presented Carl Michaud, representing the Aroostook County Area Management Team for Special Olympics, a check for $7,300, which were the proceeds from this year’s Polar Dip.

 

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CARIBOU SPECIAL education teacher Kelli Hixon runs with Jaylin Santiago of Caribou, left, and Billy Sowers of the Opportunity Training Center during a running competition May 13 as part of the Special Olympic Spring Games.  
 

Also, Debbie Lamont, another member of the area management team, presented a plaque to Lt. Brian Harris, on behalf of the Maine State Police Troop F, for 30 years of continuous service in the long jump event at the spring games.

Harris then led the Special Olympic Oath, which states “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt,” and officially opened the games.

 

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ELIZABETH TONER of Community Living Association gets ready to heave the softball during the competition which was part of the Special Olympic Spring Games, held May 13 in Presque Isle.
 

On a day that remained dry throughout and warmed up as it progressed, athletes participated in wheelchair and running races, the softball throw and the standing long jump throughout the morning and into the early afternoon.

 

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CARIBOU NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY Advisor Ken Atcheson and two of his students, Maria Espinosa and Ben Ezzy, were among the volunteers at the Special Olympic Spring Games, which took place May 13 in Presque Isle.  
 

Winners are eligible to compete at the Special Olympics Maine Summer Games, to be held June 10-12 at the University of Maine at Orono.