'IT'S ABOUNDING LOVE'

April 17--When Zackary Jordan arrived, he ran up to his grandparents and gave them a big hug.

"He looks forward to it," said his grandmother, Margaret Jordan. "He gets very excited. He starts talking about it a month in advance."

Zackary Jordan, of Forest Hills Middle School, was one of hundreds of athletes who competed in Wilson's 41st annual Special Olympics games held Thursday at Hunt High School.

Jordan and her husband, Dennis, said their grandson previously lived in Sanford and always competed there. But this was Zackary's first time competing in Wilson's games.

Special Olympics gives her grandson an opportunity to be a part of a team.

"It's a team effort," she said.

A short time later, Zackary stood with his teammates, including Kelly Jones, for the short-and long- event station.

The games began a little late Thursday due to the rain. Athletes and volunteers huddled in tents and waited for the rain to pass. A short time later, the opening ceremony began.

Fern Jones, of Wilson Parks and Recreation, is over the event. She said many people called Wednesday asking if they were going to cancel the annual games. She said they decided to continue as planned.

"It rained a little bit this morning," Jones said Thursday. "It cleared up for these athletes and for this day."

Nearly 20 schools and two organizations brought athletes to participate. There were a few independent athletes who are out of school but also competed, officials said.

'WE CAN GIVE SO MUCH'

Athlete Ryan Hart lit the torch and cheers roared as hundreds marched around Hunt's track for the opening lap. A group of employees with the city of Wilson shook their pom poms at the gate.

As athletes turned the corner and heard the women cheer, their eyes brightened and smiles came across their face.

Meagan Jacobs, an employee with the city's planning and community revitalization department, said volunteering for Special Olympics gives her an opportunity to give back to her community.

"They aren't different," Jacobs said. "They're just like us. We need to celebrate them. That's what it's all about."

Sarah Artis, also with the same department and a volunteer, said she loves to be able to make a difference in the lives of others. Artis and Jacobs couldn't stop smiling as the athletes made their way nearby.

"Let the games begin," Artis yelled.

Artis said making a difference can be as simple as giving a hug to a child or even a smile.

"They ask for so little, but we can give so much," Artis said. "When you open up your heart, it's an instant connection."

'THEY DESERVE THIS'

Matthew and Brinna Stanton couldn't wait to see their 3-year-old son, Zachary.

"He's absolutely excited about this," said his father. "This is his first time."

Brinna Stanton said they had been looking for ways to get their son involved. Zachary Stanton is autistic and was completely nonverbal until recently after several months of therapy.

The Vick Elementary student lined up with his classmates in Olympic Town where athletes ages 7 and under compete in a series of events. Those events included hula hoop, bowling, jumping, soccer and hockey games as well as taking strides on the balance beam.

The Stantons said their son loves to physically get involved.

"He's a runner," his father said. "He's a jumper. He's a flopper."

Zachary couldn't stop smiling as he crawled through the rainbow tube. He jumped up and down once he was finished and then went back and did it again. He loved it.

His parents said they knew their son was having a blast. As his classmates lined up again to head over to another station, 5-year-old Marion Pitt grabbed Zachary's hand guiding his friend to another area.

Matthew Stanton said Marion looks after Zachary.

"Every time I walk into his class, (Marion) makes sure he's taken care of," Matthew Stanton said. And Marion often lets the teacher know it, too.

"I got him," Marion says.

Noah Sutton, of Winstead Elementary, beamed as he grabbed the edge of the parachute and lifted it with other athletes. He and his friend Azel Simon and Veronica Ventura giggled as they continued to create a parachute effect.

"I just love to see them happy," said their teacher, Kathy Simpson. "They've worked hard all year. They deserve this. They've earned it."

'ABOUNDING LOVE'

The Wilson Youth Council plans, organizes and implements all activities for the younger section of the Special Olympics. For the past six years, the council has been awarded grant money to help with the project. While some equipment is used from Wilson Parks and Recreation, this year's grant enabled them to buy new adaptive equipment for younger athletes, said Theresa Mathis, Wilson Youth Council adviser. She said council students focused this year on buying equipment for wheelchair-bound athletes. Forty teenagers from Wilson Youth Council volunteered Thursday.

"Each activity is a motor skill development," Mathis said.

Renee Smith, city of Wilson's director of Human Relations, said the younger children see the stations as play time.

"But what they don't realize is they are working on their skills," Smith said. "And when they're old enough to compete, they're ready."

Mathis said seeing the joy on the faces of athletes tugs at the heart.

"This is a day that changes lives," Mathis said. "It's abounding love. They ask for nothing but a smile."

'DYNAMIC DUO'

Older athletes competed in a series of events on Hunt's field and track area. From wheelchair races to running and jumping, students couldn't get enough of all the competition, including twin brothers, Jadan and Joshua Barnes.

The brothers already made good distances on the long and short jump area. And when it came to the javelin throw, people were amazed at the distance reached.

The athletes from Toisnot Middle School said while they had never thrown a javelin before they thought it was fun. And one volunteer had a nickname for the athletic twins born 12 minutes a part -- "the dynamic duo."

The brothers also led their school for the win a couple of months ago in the Special Olympics Soccer games. While they had never played before, they had innate talent, their teacher said.

The Wilson Police Department volunteered in several areas, too, including the javelin, softball and shot put throw.

Maj. Scott Biddle said police officers enjoy every minute helping with the Special Olympics each year. "It gives us another opportunity to participate in the community and help the Special Olympics' athletes participate and have a good time," Biddle said. He said it gives athletes a chance to compete and hang out with their friends. And police love to see how happy athletes are after they finish a series of events.

"They have so much fun when they are doing this," Biddle said.

olivia@wilsontimes.com -- 265-7879

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