Special Olympics 2024 was presented by the Sabine Parish School Board Special Education Department on April 12, 2024 at the Zwolle Festival Grounds. Family members, friends, area students, teachers, school administrators and community leaders were in attendance to support and cheer on the athletes. Special Olympics provides an opportunity for those with disabilities to compete in a softball throw, long jump, and track event. Olympians also competed in a talent show and art contest.
The event began with the Gray Ghosts and Noble Sons riding through on their motorcycles. The Gray Ghosts and Noble Sons are yearly supporters of the Special Olympics and are favorites of the athletes. Special Education Supervisor Jamie Kelly welcomed everyone to the day’s events, then accepted donations from several area clubs and groups. These donations make it possible for the Sabine Parish Special Olympics to operate every year and provide students with disabilities with an amazing day.
Recognition awards were given to the 2024 Senior Olympians, art contest winners, and T-shirt design winners. Two special awards were given in memory of former Olympians. The Dawson Lowe “Exceptional Athlete” Award was presented by Mr. Ryan Vines and the Chaydon Boggs “Never Give Up” Award was presented by Chaydon’s mom.
Students from ten area schools participated: Converse Wildcats, Ebarb Rebels, Florien Black Cats, Many Elementary Tigers, Many Junior High Tigers, Many High Tigers, Negreet Indians, Pleasant Hill Eagles, Zwolle Elementary Hawks, and Zwolle High Hawks. Olympians from the local SARC also attended and participated. Students led the Pledge of Allegiance, Special Olympics theme song, and Special Olympic Oath. After the Parade of Champions, the games began. Under beautiful skies, our athletes gave their best on the standing long jump, 25 yard dash, and softball throw. Olympians were excited and empowered as they were cheered on for each event and their smiles are worth it all. It is during these activities that perceptions change and our community gets to witness a miracle of belonging and inclusion. While the physical activities give participating students opportunities to develop fitness, more importantly they demonstrate courage, experience joy, and share their gifts, skills, and friendships. In between events, students were treated to jump houses, snow cones, and face painting. The talent show ended the day on the highest note, with Olympians singing and dancing.
Special thanks goes out to Community Bank, Bank of Montgomery, City Bank, Hancock Whitney, Sabine State Bank, Toledo Health, Stella Jones, Chesapeake Energy, Sabine Council on Aging, and Sabine Medical Center. These businesses provided much appreciated food, treats, and entertainment to our students.
A very special thanks goes out to the following event sponsors for Sabine Parish Special Olympics: JJJ Coordinating, LLC; Country Boy Restaurant; Chris Tidwell, Sabine Parish Assessor; C.R. “Buddy” Wood, State Farm Insurance; Foy Motors; Toledo Health, LLC; Many Rotary Club; Anna Garcie; Noble Son’s Riding Club; Knights of Columbus 4818; Bayou State Dog Hunters Association; Geoghagan Properties, LLC; Many Climate Control Storage, LLC; Maddi Consulting, LLC; Miles Greer Professional Services, LLC; Colton Etheridge Hauling LLC, Interstate Building Materials; Chris and Julie Wray; Joe and Carole Troha; Daniel and Amanda Bass; Darryl and Kay Anthony; Boise Cascade Company; VFW Auxiliary to Zwolle Ebarb Memorial Post #5187; Tim and Jamie Kelly; Alison & Keith Ebarb, and Jeff and Deb Farmer. There was also an anonymous donation made in loving memory of Walker Pickett.
If you have never attended Special Olympics, consider this your invitation to attend in 2025. You will be greatly blessed watching these athletes give everything they have. It’s the best day of the year!