Northeastern High School - Aerie Yearbook (Elizabeth City, NC)

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Davis brings home Special Olympic fame BY JAMES BROTHERS. J. BOYER If you wanted to see Christopher Reeves or Arnold Schwarzenegger you would have had to travel with Sandy Davis and Dr. William Symons to New York to attend some very SPECIAL Special'' Olympic ceremonies. Sandy Davis submitted photographs, a scrap book and a video of our special Olympic ceremonies to a committee of judges that read like a who’s who in T.V. sportscasters. boasting such names as Bruce Jenner, Tom Brokaw and Art Buchwald. These prestigious judges selected Northeastern High School as one of two outstanding school systems in the Special Olympic International Program. The Philadelphia school district was the other chosen from the United States. On Friday. September 12th, Davis and Symons travelled to the United Nations to receive the Special Olymics award. The all day event, billed as Special Olympics Uniting the World , fea- tured a parade of athletes and torch-lighting ceremony on the Unit- ed Nations Esplanade, a weight- lifting demonstration by special olympians and Arnold Schwarzenegger, a performance by composer Marvin Hamlisch and the children’schorus from the UN International School. ABC commentator, Frank Gifford, served as master of ceremonies for the luncheon. More than 300 guests attended, including United Nation Ambassadorsrepresenting nations with special olypmics programs, and celebrities from the fields of poli- tics. entertainment and sports, like Manute Bol and Greta Waitz. Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder and chair- man of Special Olympic’s International, said. Through their friendship and acceptance, they have helped our special friends around the world untap feelings of pride and joy. A highlight of world- wide special Olympics is the international games, held every two years. The 1987 international summer games will be held at the University of Notre Dame and St. Mary’s Col- lege in South Bend. Indianna. More than 4,000 athletes from 80 nations, and 20.000 family members, coaches and volunteers will participate in those games. July 31-August 8. 1987.Created in 1986 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver and the Joseph P. Kennedy foundation. Special Olym- pics is the world’s largest program of sport’s training and athletic com- petition for children and adults with mental retardation. More than a million people participate year round in 22 sporting events in every state in the United States and in 65 nations. Elizabeth City was well re- presented by Sandy Davis at the United Nations and Special Olympics was well organized locally by Davis, Nancy Harris and many volunteers. An added feather for our cap was Sandy Davis being asked to be the head coach for the North Carolina Special Olympics in track and field events . He will go to Notre Dame with Denise James from Pasquotank County. James was the only special olympian to go to the international meet from this area, although seventy-two athletes are competing in the track and field events. Other areas that will be represented in the sports' arena are swimming, softball, basketball, soccer and volleyball. Opposite page; Holding his out- standing special Olympic award. Sandy Davis said. All of the work and effort by Nancy Harris . school buggers, community volunteers and special Olympic sponsors like Wendy's helped pull together a winning program in Special Olympics. Belowi Creating one of those special moments. Steve Price gave a piggy back ride to a olympian. 16—Special Olympics

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Kim Short's expression of love and caring summed up the whole meaning of a day well spent. 18--Special Olympics