The games were dedicated to longtime volunteer Nancy Forget.
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — For the principal of W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School, the Berkshire County Special Olympics held each spring at neighboring Monument Mountain Regional High School complement his school's mission.
"What I really love about the Special Olympics is what I also love about W.E.B. Du Bois, the namesake of our middle school," Ben Doren said during Wednesday morning's opening ceremonies.
"W.E.B. Du Bois saw a vision, over a hundred years ago, of people together, working hard, struggling through adversity but also struggling to build a better community for the future."
Echoing the Special Olympics athlete oath, "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt," both Doren and Monument Mountain Principal Kristina Farina praised the athletes and their supporters for the brave work of building a more inclusive world.
And, as a bonus, they got to have some fun doing it.
Smiles and hugs were plentiful on Wednesday as hundreds of athletes from across the county ran, threw and jumped for personal bests, for medals and for the satisfaction of putting themselves to the test.
As in any competition, some athletes ended up at the top of the podium. But all were champions.
Before delivering the high school's land acknowledgement, Farina thanked the athletes, families and volunteers for gracing the South County campus.
"Today, we come together to break down barriers and fight against stigmas," Farina said. "As Muhammed Ali once said, 'Champions are made from something deep inside them: A desire, a dream, a vision.'
"So, today, I hope that all our athletes inspire us to this vision, and that they aspire to that ideal."
Following the traditional parade of athletes, the opening ceremony included the presentation of several awards to athletes and supporters.
George Wallace received the Keith C. White Memorial Award, "For striving to achieve goals in life, working to overcome obstacles and aiming to become the best that he can be."
Nya Chaffee took home the Daniel Holian Memorial Award, "For your unwavering perseverance, determination and good attitude, demonstrated here at the Special Olympics as well as each and every day."
Keri Wade was given the Ellen C. and Sheilah M. Graham Memorial Award, "For her unwavering commitment, strength, kindness, compassion and dedication to service in the area of special needs and challenges."
The games, which were postponed due to rain from their scheduled date on May 3, were dedicated to Nancy Forget, a special educator for 30 years who continues to volunteer at the games.
"It is without a doubt she has made a lasting impact doing something she finds so much joy in: supporting others to be the best they can be," read the plaque recognizing the Forget.
After the awards were given out, it was time to get back to the serious business of fun.
"This is a celebration," Doren said. "We get to celebrate some of our most amazing students and most amazing athletes. It's great to see them here. It's great to see them compete and share the values that are so important.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
South County Construction Operations
LEE, Mass. — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing crews will be conducting daytime and overnight hour guardrail repair, drainage work, bridge repair, and tree trimming operations at various locations and times on I-90 eastbound and westbound during the week of Monday, April 22.
Lane closures will be in place during the construction operations and traffic will be able to travel through the work zones. The schedule for the work and lane closures will be as follows:
Otis/Blandford
Guardrail repair operations will be conducted nightly on I-90 westbound between mile marker 21.0 and mile marker 26.0 from Monday, April 22, through Thursday, April 25, from 7:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. the next morning. The work is expected to conclude by 5:30 a.m. on Friday, April 26.
Drainage work will be conducted on I-90 eastbound between mile marker 21.0 to 26.0 from Monday, April 22, through Thursday, April 25, from 7:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. the next morning. The work is expected to conclude by 5:30 a.m. on Friday, April 26.
Blandford
Bridge repair work will be conducted nightly on I-90 eastbound and westbound at mile marker 26.4 from Monday, April 22 through Thursday, April 25, from 7:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. the next morning. The work is expected to conclude by 5:30 a.m. on Friday, April 26.
Lee
Bridge repair work will be conducted daily on I-90 eastbound at mile marker 8.0 from Tuesday, April 23 through Thursday, April 25, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Russell
Tree trimming work will be conducted on I-90 westbound between mile marker 33.0 to mile marker 36.0, from Monday, April 22 through Friday, April 26, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day.
Appropriate signage, law enforcement details, and messaging will be in place to guide drivers through the work area.
Drivers traveling through the affected areas should expect delays, reduce speed, and use caution.
All scheduled work is weather dependent and subject to change without notice.
Slated for the entire month of June 2024, the Designer Showcase will highlight the work of more than a dozen local and regional designers, as well as landscape architects and visual artists. click for more
The novel also explores other ethical and sensitive topics such as people-pleasing, sexual assault, and other prevalent issues in society.
click for more
Thanks to a $2 million grant from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott's foundation Yield Giving, CATA is aiming to expand these efforts even further.
click for more
Taylor Garabedian scored a team-high 22 points and grabbed five rebounds, and Abby Scialabba scored 16 points for the ‘Canes, who got 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists from Ashlyn Lesure. click for more
On Saturday afternoon at Lowell’s Tsongas Center, the Hurricanes will take aim at Division 5 State Championships in girls and boys basketball. click for more