Community comes together for winter Special Olympics event

‘Awesome event to say the least’- Brandon Johnson, Special Olympics Area Director

By Clayton Carroll

TOP PHOTO: Paul receives his medal for an outstanding day on the hardwood. (PHOTOS COURTESY OF EMMY STANFILL (INSTAGRAM @shotssbyyem)

Harper is with Campbell Cheerleader Macey Miesel.

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – On Saturday, at the brand new Norris Lake Sports Complex, the Special Olympics of Campbell, Morgan, and Scott Counties hosted a basketball and cheerleading afternoon of fun.

This event was organized so that those with intellectual disabilities could play and learn the game of basketball and also cheerlead.

Special Olympics Area Director Brandon Johnson said that “it was an awesome event to say the least.” It began with a warm-up/ stretch session put on by Absolute Fitness. Following the warm up, teams were organized based on age and fitness level.

Harper medals at Saturday’s Special Olympics.

Once teams were organized, the Campbell High Cougar and Lady Cougar basketball players led training drills and pickup basketball games. Campbell High’s Cheerleading squad also volunteered at the event to help those who wanted to cheer-on the basketball teams.

Lady Cougar Basketball player Reagan Stanfill talks hoops with Gael.

Johnson wanted to thank all of the volunteers and the community who came out to support the Special Olympics. He also was very grateful for the owners of Norris Lake Sports Complex, Mark and Linda Proffitt, for allowing the use of the facility free of charge.

Johnson continued to say that this was only the second Special Olympics event in the past two decades in Campbell County. The first being a track-and-field meet in the Spring 2023. Johnson mentioned that  “Generation after generation never got the opportunity to dribble and shoot a basketball or wave a Pom-pom.” He was “so thankful that the community chipped in for this.”

Ally’s getting the hang of cheerleading.

The next event planned is a track-and-field meet at Campbell High on Monday, May 13th. If you want to volunteer or participate in the event, please sign up and register ahead of time.

The best way to stay in the loop and to get signed up is to follow the “Special Olympics Campbell, Morgan, and Scott Counties” Facebook Page. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 02/13/2024 6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF EMMY STANFILL (INSTAGRAM @shotssbyyem)