LINCOLN -- For the first time probably since the 1980s, Lincoln Middle School is fielding a Special Olympics team and its seven members are diligently training for the Area 3 Games that will be held April 25 in Fayetteville.
Special education teacher Ryan Acord is a first-year teacher at Lincoln Middle School and is coaching the team.
"Special Olympics provides an opportunity for these guys," Acord said, referring to his athletes training at Lincoln High School track one afternoon. "It's a good chance for kids to get out and travel and make friends."
Acord said he believes one of the most important benefits of Special Olympics is that the students are part of a team. The players already have competed in the Area 3 games for volleyball and floor hockey and won some awards at those meets. The students have discovered they also enjoy winning, he said.
Acord teaches a self-contained class at the middle school and said he loves teaching Special Education. He was a teacher's aide for Siloam Springs School District before coming to Lincoln as a certified teacher.
He said Special Olympics allows his students to be "really awesome at something."
He added, "They work hard and it's good for them. We just have lots of fun."
Lisa Hite is in Acord's classroom one hour each day and her father, Harold Hite, said he is glad Lisa is able to participate on a Special Olympics team.
"It gets her out with other kids," Hite said.
J.W. Alexander said his favorite event is the softball throw. Practices are tiring, J.W. said, but fun.
Other members of Lincoln's team include Jacob Pack, Chase Plunkett, Ryan Smith and Lisa Hite.
Area 3 includes Washington, Madison and Benton counties, according to Tonja McCone, area director. Special Olympics is open to children 8 years old up to adults. She said the three counties have about 600 athletes who participate in 16 different sports throughout the year.
Events in the April 25 Area Games will be bocce, power lifting and track and field events, such as a softball throw, 50-meter race, 100-meter race, long jump and a relay.
"What I'm proud about with Special Olympics is that it provides year-round sports training for people with intellectual needs and is free to the athletes," said McCone, who has worked with the program for 24 years. "Another thing is the true sportsmanship they show. Yes, they are competitive but they are all about having fun."
She added, "Just being around them, I am blessed."
For more information or to volunteer with Special Olympics, contact McCone at [email protected].
General News on 04/01/2015