PIKEVILLE, Ky – On Thursday, more than 200 students from 18 schools in Pike and Letcher Counties participated in the Special Olympics, which has been hosted for nearly 10 years by the Pike County Youth Leadership Council. “With this, we want everyone to feel equal,” said Pryce Atkinson with the Pike County Youth Leadership Council. “We want all these kids to have the same opportunities and more than what we normally have.”
From corn hole to running to hoola hoop competitions, the students, who normally don’t get to compete in regular school sports competed against each other alongside their teachers and family. “It’s truly amazing to watch what some of these kids can do that people are not aware of,” said Garlene Abshire, the grandmother of Madison Lawson of Phelps. “It’s great to see the joy on their faces when they accomplish simple things.”
The students were treated to lunch, before finishing the competition and receiving their awards. And, the smiles on their faces made all the work to put the event on worthwhile. “These kids really deserve everything. They deserve to have a great time, and that’s what we are here for today,” explained Atkinson.
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