Hundreds of athletes converge on Midland Valley for Special Olympics

Athlete Alexandra Huerta, an East Aiken Elementary School of the Arts student, celebrates after the school was named most spirited at the Area 15 Special Olympics Games at Midland Valley High School on Friday. Staff photo by Rob Novit.

Jefferson Elementary School teacher Melissa Darby was delighted to bring her students to the Area 15 Special Olympic Games at Midland Valley High School on Friday.

That wouldn't have been possible a few years ago, when the games were only open to kids 8 and older and to adults. Since then, the Special Olympics has added a young athletes division for ages 2 through 7.

"They've opened it up to our little kids," Darby said. "It's great for preschool teachers, giving our kids a chance to participate, and they have such a good time. They couldn't wait to come this year. We have lots of volunteers, and everybody is excited."

More than 500 special athletes, volunteers and teachers gathered at Midland Valley's football field for an event modeled on the traditional Olympics.

School "teams" marched into the stadium for the opening ceremony to the Olympic theme. WSI-SRS staffers accompanied special athletes for the torch run. East Aiken Elementary School of the Arts was announced as the school spirit winner.

"It's awesome," said speech therapist Laura Deal. "We're so excited that we won the spirit award. That's what we've been aiming for."

Michael Adcock, 8, of Busbee Elementary School was selected to be the last athlete to touch the torch before it was lit.

"Michael is a surviving twin who weighed just 1.8 pounds at birth," said his mother, Amy Adcock. "He was quarantined for four years and just got his feeding tube out, which wasn't expected to happen. Michael has chronic lung disease and hypertension. He's also very smart, and 60 percent of the time is in regular classes."

Another Busbee athlete, Ezekiel Staley, had two volunteer buddies for the event - North Augusta High juniors Rachel Ward and Sydney Scaggs.

"It's really fun," Scaggs said. "We get to know them and do some arts and crafts and see what they're interested in and see how they can display their talents."

The Aiken Woman's Club also sponsored the Very Special Arts Festival for the 25th year. Athletes and their buddies had plenty of activities to entertain them. Among the arts volunteers were the Junior Leadership Aiken members - eighth and ninth-graders who are learning about their community through a variety of field trips. Two students, Aiken High's Rowan Miller and Midland Valley's William Hardy, said they were glad to help for a good cause.

Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.