HIAWASSEE – Many talented individuals from Towns County, Union County and this year Tate Academy of Blairsville participated in the annual cross-county Special Olympic Games on Thursday, April 17.
Athletes of all ages competed in track and field events, including wheelchair races, amid beautiful weather and joyous camaraderie inside Frank McClure Memorial Stadium of Towns County Schools.
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The event began with a celebration of outgoing Special Olympics Committee Chair Amy Gibby-Rosser, the Director for Towns County Family Connection.
Gibby-Rosser, who will be retiring this year, was described by her colleagues as the rock of Special Olympics for 25 years. And last week, the audience gave her a round of applause for her enormous contributions to the children and families to whom she has dedicated her career.
Towns County Schools Superintendent Dr. Darren Berrong reluctantly missed his first Special Olympics in 10 years but made sure to send words of heartfelt appreciation for Gibby-Rosser.
“Amy’s leadership has led to enriching the lives of countless athletes,” Berrong said. “Her commitment to creating inclusive opportunities has left a lasting impact not only on the participants, but on the entire community.
“Every athlete she has encouraged and every barrier she has helped break down has touched us all. Through her dedication she has created an environment where athletes feel celebrated, supported and capable of achieving their personal best.”
What started with a small committee about 25 years ago has continued to achieve success to this day, with involvement by Union and Towns school systems, plus Avita Community Partners for adult participants, and this year, the nonprofit private school Tate Academy has joined the mix.
“We meet together and plan the event; we love this event,” Gibby-Rosser said. “In the spring we have track and field events, soccer, and today, the Young Harris Soccer Team is here helping us as well.
“In the fall we compete in basketball and volleyball. There are about 150 athletes that take part in the games. It is such a great day. It is a time for everybody to come together and participate as one and be unified.
“It’s about having a great time supporting everybody. I have a heart for everything this represents – inclusivity, diversity, everybody being united for something – it’s what I’m all about.”
Teacher Andrea Antepenko of Union County High School said she does this to see that “everybody can win in the classroom and in life.”
“I teach in a class where we do all subjects, but we incorporate that with community-based instruction,” Antepenko said. “Every day we practice what we’re doing in the classroom.
“For example, we went to Meeks Park; we had learned about symmetry in math, so we looked for symmetry in nature. We went to Tractor Supply and do what the manager asks us to do. We teach life skills – we try to hit it all.”
Union County Schools Special Education Services Director Christal Chastain said that, as long as she can remember, Union and Towns counties have gotten together on Special Olympics.
“We have lots of sponsors from the community,” Chastain said. “We’re very thankful. They provide dinner for the athletes, and they provide lunch and snacks during the day. They even give us medals. The kids look forward to it every year.”
Towns County Elementary School Principal Crystal Beach also enjoyed the day, noting that the event “is always one of the highlights of the year.”
“Seeing our athletes out here and all the folks across our region that come out to celebrate them – it’s just a really special day for everybody involved,” Beach said. “The classes are out here cheering the kids on. The smiles say it all.”
McConnell Baptist Church Associate Pastor Steve Awtrey attended the Special Olympics with other church volunteers to provide lunch for all the athletes.
“I’ve been mentoring at the school for the last six years,” Awtrey said. “I’ve helped out with special needs ministries in my church, and I love this event because we get to come into the community and serve these families and cheer them on.
“To me, it’s just a great event where we all come together and watch the kids compete. Everybody has a good time, and it’s a great way to get to know other people from the community.
“You’ve got Towns County and Union County coming together, and instead of competing in sports, we’re all here just to cheer on these kids. I love this.”
Towns County Special Education Director Dr. Victoria Stroud concurred, declaring that she and everyone involved “love these kids.”
“They are truly amazing,” Stroud said. “They just all have such unique abilities. I love getting to come out here and chat with them here and being able to watch them shine.
“As director, I don’t always get that chance. I try to encourage them and let them know that today is about having fun and trying their hardest. The kids have a blast.”
