Northwest Missouri State University - Tower Yearbook (Maryville, MO)

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clowning around Providing words of encouragement and giving fiugs were s ome of the duties of the Special Olympic clowns. Clowns reward- ed all Olympians regardless of their plac- ing. Clown Linda Stevens chats with a participant during the April 18 Olympics. -Photo by E. Barrera Special hug After the 100-meter dash, Linda Carnes hugs a contestant. The hug enhances the feeling of accomplishment these special athletes convey. -Photo by K. McCall Special times Getting involved is what it is a about. Connie Evans and )ackie Green take time to share special moments with Drexel, Stevie and Mark, Special Olympic participants. -Photo by E. Bar- rera 20 Special Olympics

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Rave on the beat The Rave brings back memories of the 1960s British tunes in a concert during Stroller Daze. -Photo by S. Trunkhill Entertainer no dummy A ventriloquist provides a unique form of entertainment in the Spanish Den. -Photo by S. Trunkhill Game point One of the many events planned during Stroller Daze is volleyball. Deborah Alpough demonstrates her service technique. -Photo by E. Barrera Stroller Daze 19

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•jddv A Rewarding Volunteers benefit from special students ' special sort of Olympics was held in Ricken- brode Stadium April 18. Approximately 425 athletes participated in the 15th Annual Area I Special Olympics. The games were sponsored by the Kennedy Foundation and Area I Special Olympics. Almost 400 volunteers were on hand to organize events, work as huggers and coaches and keep statistics. Athletes were mentally and or physically handicapped, but that did not seem to deter from their determination. The kids were just incredible, volunteer Kathy Rogers said. They gave their all. Olympians showed their athletic skills in the 50-meter dash, relays, mile run and other events. Twenty- sent represen- track and field eight schools tatives. Participation was the key, said Gerald Wright, assistant pro- fessor of elementary and special education and area coordinator. Everyone on the field was in- volved in something, Wright said. Smiles were everywhere. Winners of each event wore their ribbons proudly all day. For the Special Olympians rib- bons were an additional thrill, but winning was not the most im- portant thing. There were no losers in their eyes, volunteer Mary Piston said. They all considered themselves winners just to be in the Olympics. When they did win a ribbon, they would get ex- cited and hug each other. Another volunteer, Linda Stevens, also felt rewarded. I dressed as a clown and visited with everyone, she said. I patted everyone on the back whether they did good or bad, won or lost their event. The feel- ing I got couldn ' t be replaced with any other feelings in the world, Stevens said. It was hard to express the feeling unless you were there to experience it, Stevens said. I felt like I had made their day a lot better and decided they had made mine brighter too. For Wright, his reward was having the games run so smoothly. Things went very well, he said. There were minor pro- blems of course, beca use things don ' t always run exactly as they should. But if there was a reward, it was to know things were available for the people who needed them. For some athletes, their ' special ' performances didn ' t end at Northwest. Close to 40 Special Olympians went on to compete in May at the State competition. A smile here, hug there and perhaps even a ribbon. Olym- pians seemed happy and en- thusiastic about their perfor- mances. Volunteers profited too. There were so many rewards in working with the handicap- ped, Stevens said. They are one of the most loving and cheerful groups of people. -Bonnie Corrice Winning smile Achievement creates a winning smile on every Olympian ' s face. They are awarded ribbons for their ac- complishments in each event. Roger Bassi pins a first place ribbon on a Special Olympic competitor. -Photo by E. Bar- rera. Special Olympics 21