Compton Unified School District (CUSD) has yet another reason to be proud after learning that 29-year-old Tiaunta Gray, a student at Compton Adult School's Exceptional Adult Center, has been selected for the United States' Bocce Team for the Special Olympics' 2015 World Games in Los Angeles.
It's an exciting time for Gray. She recently helped her school's bocce team win First Place at the 2014 Special Olympics of Southern California's Summer Games Invitational at USC. The team went undefeated with a 5-0 record.
Now she has the opportunity to compete against over 177 teams from all over the globe.
Gray, who returned from her first national team training session in Indianapolis, recalled, "My coach called me when I was home and told me I made the team. I said, 'for real?'" She also shared why she enjoys bocce more than other sports. "It's a lot of fun and I'm always trying to get the most points. Everyone should try it."
"The entire community of Compton is very proud of Tiaunta in qualifying for the Special Olympics World Games," Micah Ali, President of the Compton Unified School District Board of Trustees said. "It is great to know that Compton will be represented among the 7,000 Special Olympics athletes from 177 countries. And, I am proud to know President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will serve as Honorary Chairs of this great event."
Compton Adult School's Principal Christopher Calvin said he is confident in Gray's athletic abilities, and that she will represent Compton well. "The entire staff, student body and I are extremely proud of Tiaunta's involvement in the Special Olympics World Games. She is not only a great athlete but an exceptional student and we know she'll bring home the gold."
In bocce two teams are given four balls each and must try to throw them as close to the marker ball, known as the pallino, as possible to score the most points.
Resource Teacher Renee Bradshaw said she is very proud of Gray and believes she will represent Compton well at next year's competition.
"It's definitely going to be a great challenge for her. It's great to see someone from Compton was selected for the national team. It's a really big deal," she noted. "Competing at the international level helps individuals like Tiaunta build their self-esteem and confidence level. This wonderful news proves that there's no limit to what our exceptional adults can accomplish."
Charlene Smith, who played for the US Basketball Team at the 2003 World Games in Ireland, said she is providing Gray with guidance as she prepares for next year's games.
"It was an exciting experience for me, so I'm excited for Tiaunta. I'm telling her to do her best and enjoy it," she said. "When I went to the World Games I trained in Long Beach for three hours a day. It was a lot of work but still fun. I'm going to be pushing Tiaunta to do better at what she does."
The Special Olympics US Bocce Team's Tiaunta Gray prepares to strike during a practice session at Compton Adult School's Exceptional Adult Center. She recently returned from her first training session with the national team in Indianapolis.
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