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

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by Judy Boyer Phoros. B. Boyer Leading rhe Special Olympic parade Micki and Meg McEver applaud the efforts of the local Olympians. Sandy Davis and local participants light the Olympic Flame to stan the ceremonies. It is July 29,1987. Sandy Davis and Beverly James board a waiting private Cessna jet at Winston-Salem airport. One-hundred and nineteen such jets from across the United States fly into Indiana On board are excited, anxious coaches and Special Olympians dreaming of the coming competitions to be held at Notre Dame. When all the planes land and all the people are asleep in the Notre Dame dormitories, the count adds up to seventy-two countries, and all U.S.A. states and territories represented by special athletes, Special Olympians. Davis and James too sleep, excited to be at International competition, but knowing that getting there had been a long time in coming. Paving the way to International competition, Sandy Davis held local Special Olympics in April of 1987. Pasquotank County and Camden County merged at Northeastern High School for another celebration of love and courage-bands playing, balloons flying, and huggers waiting, the local competition got underway. One of the participants was Beverly James who sparkled in her efforts in fifty and one hundred meter runs and the 4 x 100 meter relay, as well as the standing long jump. This was not new to Beverly, she had been a participant for nine years, but this year was to prove to be her glory year. From local competition, it was onward to regionals. Nancy Harris, Joanne Mizelle, and Davis led Pasquotank's group. Nine counties converged in Northeastern's complex in May with hopes of advancing to the state. Beverly, again, placed in the top three in every event, and led the way to U.N.C.- Chapel Hill for the state competition in late May. It is June. Word comes that Sandy Davis has been elected to be head coach in track and field for the International Special Olympics and Beverly James has won the draw to participate at international level. Pasquotank County is proud! North Carolina is proud to send James and Davis to the first ever International Training school in Charlotte, North Carolina. James trains; Davis coaches and afterwards Charlotte-Mecklenburg gives the seventy-two athletes and twenty coaches a day at Carowinds. It is August 7. Davis watches as Beverly James wins a bronze medal in the fifty meter run and fifth place in the one-hundred meter run. In the 4x100 relay, lead runner, James, rounds the track, hands off the baton and wins the gold in the fastest relay team in the world. Not even the presence of Whitney Houston, Don Johnson, or Oprah Winfrey (among others) entertaining and applauding the Special Olympians, could capture the moment, the meaning, or the love more than James' win. Davis was so choked up he couldn't talk straight (Time Magazine, August 17, 1987). Because of Davis’ efforts, because of Nancy Harris’ and Joanne Mizelle’s, because of many hugger s efforts and many clubs and student's efforts, North- eastern High School was awarded the Outstanding Organization Award and Davis was awarded Outstanding Coordinator for North Carolina Special Olympics. James might have brought home a gold medal in track to make us all shine , but Davis and many other volunteers brought home another type of gold that reflects a love that stays special for special people. 16 — Local SpcxiaJ Olympics

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1 The game ends. Sonie Freshwater stands sol- emnly overlooking the football field. The team runs off to the locker room after an impressive win over Perquimans. Sonie thinks of how last week he was the one carring the ball down the field to the fans screaming, Go, Sonie Go! His future was going to consits of many victorious high school and college football games. He wouldn't be stopped. He would be an invincible player. He walks over to the 35 yard line and looks down at the spot where in a simple pre- season scrimmage game his dreams were shat- tered. His knee permanendy damaged. He sighs and thinks as he walks to congratulate the team,” It really hurt me because it was my senior year and I hoped to shine, but says as he approaches the team, Good job, guys.” A cool October wind gusts. Anthony Griffin keeps his hands busily working as he puts the finishing touches on the canvas of his graf- fiti art. The fimiliar smell of spray paint engulfs the air as the last hiss of the can materializes. Anthony smiles as what he thinks is one of his “Those problems that people have in eve- ryday life, that's how they're different than the problems I have . . . They can make their problems better. I can only deal with mine. -George Heath greatest pieces of an. He feels the sweet pleasure of success at a job well done. In a daze of pride, Anthony is startled when one of his friends taps him on his shoulder. His friend looks at Anthony and proceeds to ask him how he can always be so cheerful and optimistic when he is physically dis- abled. Anthony chuckles and says, I thank God for what I am. I just thank God that I'm here, I'm living. These handicapped students are no differ- ent than we are. They possess a courage, a determination that most can only dream of achieving. For them it’s the only way to reach the unlimited opportunities that “I thank God for what I am. I just thank God that I'm here. I'm living. - Anthony Griffin await them out in our vast society. For Sonie and Julie their injuries will heal with time until mem- ories are all that will be left. For George, Thomas and Anthony they must find the strength to accept and deal with their handicaps everyday. Their bravery is truly expressed in their wheels and wills of steel. Wheds And Wills Of Seed

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Loud Special Olympic» — 17