Duplin County kids shine at Special Olympics
Special Olympians ran, jumped and threw balls during the 2010 Duplin County Special Olympics held Friday, May 21, at East Duplin High School in Beulaville.
After the March of Athletes along the high school track, County Commissioner Frances Parks and Rep. Russell Tucker sprang a stunning surprise on Special Olympic Coordinator Gayle Joyner.
They announced that Joyner was the recipient of North Carolina’s most prestigious award, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
As teary-eyed Joyner gazed at the award, she said, “I’m speechless for the first time.”
Cutline 2 (foot race): Tabitha Mercer and Breanna Hernandez compete in a foot race during Special Olympics competition at East Duplin High School.
After introducing her family, she said the success of the Special Olympics in Duplin County is not due to the “good deeds of one person. It takes a whole lot of people.”
Created in the mid-1960s, the award is given in recognition of a proven record of service or some other special achievement. The recipient receives the certificate and the privilege of proposing at any time the North Carolina Toast:
“Here’s to the land of the long leaf pine,
The summer land where the sun doth shine.
Where the weak grow strong and the strong grow great.
Here’s to ‘down home,’ the Old North State.”
Past recipients include Maya Angelou, Billy Graham and Michael Jordan.
Joyner has been associated with the Special Olympics for 20 years, 15 years as coordinator.
Former Duplin County School Superintendent Tommy Benson urged her to become a Special Olympics volunteer 20 years ago. Her sister Patsy was born with Down syndrome.
After the presentation, Joyner quickly returned the focus of the opening ceremonies to the Special Olympians. Master of ceremonies Randy Cashwell sang “God Bless the USA” as the Special Olympians from 15 county schools waved miniature American flags.
With the opening ceremonies concluded with the Oath of the Athletes, the small army of volunteers oversaw the run, jump and throw competitions.
With parents ensconced on a nearby hillside, the Special Olympians ran foot races along a stretch of the high school track. As the parents watched, no doubt the oath the Special Olympians just recited came to mind: “Let me win. If I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
At the far end of the track, other Special Olympians ran and jumped as high as they could, emulating the track stars in the high jump they sometimes see on television.
On the baseball diamond, Special Olympians threw balls with all their might.
Win or lose, all received their Special Olympics medals, which they wore proudly around their necks.
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