'Buddies,' athletes bond during Special Olympics

Typically, the volunteer high school "buddies" who hang out with and support special athletes at the Special Olympics don't meet their kids until the morning of the spring games.

But North Augusta High School students Marina Clements and Emily Heath had already befriended their kids - Montrael, 4, and Jacob, 3, both of Busbee Elementary School in Wagener. Both girls were anxious to meet the little boys at the Special Olympics at Aiken High Friday morning.

Along with other classmates, they have been serving as pen pals, writing the boys periodically and getting letters in return, written, of course, with plenty of adult assistance.

"We're really fortunate to have met them before we see them today," Heath said.

Husband-and-wife teachers Sarah Emerling of Busbee and Chris Emerling of North Augusta High started the collaboration several years ago.

"It's wonderful, awesome, the best day of the year," said Sarah, who works with special needs children in grades 3-5. "It means so much to my kids."

The spring games proved to be awesome, too, featuring gorgeous sunshine and possibly a record crowd. Tri-Development executive Jones Bowen said about 600 special athletes - both children and adults - and hundreds of volunteers participated in the games.

"The event gets better and better," Bowen said. "It's a perfect example of what happens when people come together. We've got volunteers from the area high schools, and, most importantly, the businesses in the community turned out today, as well. All the athletes were having a good time, looking forward to just participating. It's never so much about winning."

For the fourth straight year, Bridgestone brought about 20 volunteers from its tech services group.

"We set up the activities for young athletes," Will Holmes said. "We really enjoy it. It's an opportunity to spend time in the community and work with young kids."

The Special Olympics began with the traditional opening ceremonies, much like the recently-held winter games at Vancouver. There are actually three activities - some traditional athletic events for children and adults 8 and older, the Young Athletes program for smaller kids and Very Special Arts, featuring a variety of fun activities for smaller children.

The Aiken Woman's Club has coordinated the special arts for the past 24 years, said club member Helen Randall. Other clubs and organizations sponsoring booths and concessions included the Aiken Juniors Woman's Club, the Sand River Women's Club, the North Augusta Pilot Club, Aiken High and Midland Valley High honor societies and the South Aiken High Beta Club, the South Aiken Teacher Cadets, Junior Leadership Aiken students and St. Mary School eighth-graders. The Aiken High jazz band and chorus provided entertainment.

Caroline O'Byrne appreciates the opportunity to bring her special needs kids from East Aiken Elementary School each year.

"They are having a great time," she said. "They're coloring and throwing the ball and doing the long jump. They get so excited about having the older kids with them. They are great buddies for them."

Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.