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Uvalde students prep for spring Special Olympics


The Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District Special Olympics team is preparing  to attend the spring games in San Antonio this weekend.

The team showcased their athletic skills on Tuesday evening at a community attended rehearsal at the Uvalde Honey Bowl.

The event commenced with a law enforcement torch run, with members of the city of Uvalde and UCISD police departments and Uvalde County Sheriff’s Office carrying the torch through downtown Uvalde to the Honey Bowl.

According to the Special Olympics, the law enforcement members carrying the torch are known as the guardians of flame, and have been carrying the flame of hope into opening ceremonies of local competitions since 1981.

“There are over 97,000 law enforcement members that carry the flame of hope annually. The flame symbolizes courage and celebration of diversity uniting communities around the globe.” 

Following a brief opening ceremony and lighting of the caldron, Special Olympic athletes competed in wheelchair races, sprinting competitions and softball throws.

The event drew a crowd of local supporters, teachers, UCISD cheer squad and the band.

The UCISD Special Olympics team is composed of nine students including fifth-graders Jessica Burns and Isaiah Posada; sixth-graders Johnny Gonzalez, Jacob Mirelez and Blake Robin; eighth-grader Lluvia Quiroga; and ninth-graders Christopher Garcia, Sky Moreno and Adrian Leija.

They will be leaving for competition tomorrow.

UCISD Superintendent Hal Harrell said that a police escort will commence at 2 p.m. from Flores Elementary School. The spring games will take place at the D.W. Rutledge Stadium in Converse at 8:30 a.m. There is no charge to attend the games.

Melissa Federspill|Leader-NewsUvalde High School freshman Sky Moreno talks with Coach Steven Nordwick during the softball throw at the Special Olympics athletic showcase. The athletes gathered Tuesday evening to showcase their skills for the community in advance of competition set Saturday.

Melissa Federspill|Leader-NewsUvalde High School freshman Sky Moreno talks with Coach Steven Nordwick during the softball throw at the Special Olympics athletic showcase. The athletes gathered Tuesday evening to showcase their skills for the community in advance of competition set Saturday.

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