STACYVILLE, Maine — The annual Special Olympics were supposed to be held May 10, with a rain date for May 16, in Presque Isle. However, because of the cold, rainy weather, this year’s event was cancelled.
According to prinicipal Marie Robinson, the staff at Katahdin Middle-High School did not want to see their students miss out on an opportunity to showcase their skills. After all they had been in training for this event for some time and to not be able to compete somehow did not seem right.
So the staff at Katahdin Middle-High School decided to hold their own “Katahdin’s Special Olympics” on May 16. The entire school came out for the last hour of the day to watch the students participate in an opening parade, long jump, softball throw, 100 yard dash, and “race a senior” events.
Each of the participants received gold medals for their participation along with a certificate. The pep band played music for the parades and throughout the event. Hannah Boone sang the National Anthem for the beginning of the event. Makenna Landry read the Special Olympics motto.
The Civil Rights team served as a buddy for each of the Olympians and also made a hoop for them to jump through at the beginning. At the end of the event, all individuals in attendance were asked to join the parade.
