The 16th annual LaSalle Parish Special Olympics for LaSalle and Catahoula Parishes was held at the Jena High School football field on Thursday, March 23.

According to Jenene Bignar, Supervisor of Special Education for the LaSalle Parish School System, the event was a tremendous success.

The program opened with a welcome by School Superintendent Janet Tullos and Glen Joiner, Supervisor of Transportation and Maintenance.

DARE Deputy Jenny Parker led the parade of schools. The program began with the invocation by Lydia Smith, JHS Anchor Club President.

The Colors were presented by BSA Scout Troop 14 and Cub Scout Pack 14, followed by the pledge of allegiance, led by Rowan Smart from Harrisonburg High School, and the National Anthem sang by Landry Poole and Noelle Poole of Good Pine Middle School.

The Special Olympics’ Pledge was led by Big John Barker. The pledge, “We pledge today to expect the best of ourselves that we can give, to take pride in our parts in this event, to be good sports in word and action, and to enjoy the rewards of each other’s victories, as well as our own!”

JHS Cheerleaders and Danceline performed a cheer/dance and Glen Joiner and Jenene Bignar recognized sponsors, volunteers and t-shirt design winners. Mickey Cockerham of LaSalle Printing recognized the schools participating.

The t-shirt winners included first place winner, Jena High senior Kristin Lin; second place winner, Jena High sophomore Hannah Zeagler; and third place winner, Fellowship Elementary fourth grader Demmi Carter.

Events included unified relay race, 25-yard walker/wheelchair, 50-yard walk/run, boys and girls ball throw and standing long jump.

After the events were concluded, awards were presented by LPSO Sheriff’s Deputy Brant King and the LaSalle General Hospital Therapists.

Winners of the events, along with corporate sponsors and thanks to those who supported the Special Olympics, can be found on Page 3B of this issue of the newspaper. Photographs from the event can be found on page 2B.

Below is a listing of all the Special Olympic athletes and the schools they attend: Good Pine Middle School – Marlon Tingle, Caleb Rison, Cohen Holland, Madison Conley, Sylar James, Dareon Hill, Maddison Hill, Charles Lirette, Pearlaja Walker, Zendaya Thomas, Zachary Girlinghouse, Makayla Jones, Leron Mc-Ginnis, David McCrary, Montais Farmer, Braedon Walker, Khaidyn Griffin, Laelani Phillips, Ayden Collins, Xavier Collins, Bronsin Gates, Lainey Lucas, Kaylee Snoddy

Jena High School – Ray Dyess, Noah Perrin, Antoni Purcell, Riddick Newman, Shae Zocher, Aaliyah Gardner, Eli Robertson, Jaxson Morris, Gabriel Conley, Timothy Odom

Jena Junior High School – Dylan Thomas, Avian Holmes, Louie Bennett, Jeremiah Hardwell, Reece Jackson, Daniel Cameron, Dawsen Bird, Kyrielle Nelson, Montavious Brown, Summer Lamb, Brighton Lamb, Tink Jones, Corbett Smith, Nariya Webb, Daylon Howard

LaSalle Junior High School – Huey Callender, John Michael Sullivan, Miracle Green, Jesse Langley, Brodee Brown, Keifer McNemar, Destini Smith, Carolyn Steen, Joseph Conley, Jacob Gorman

Fellowship Elementary School – Ashton Stapleton, Dylan Hall, Lauren Smith, Bryson Moates, Izzy Hailey, Zade Rutledge, Katie Stapleton, Zeke Lurry, Kolton Murry

LaSalle High School – Cole Spruell, Zoey Miley, Matthew Scarbrough, Hunter McNemar, November Smith, Brayden Gagne, Tabitha Terrell, Nessa Rosenberg, Rayleigh Spruell

Nebo Elementary School – Nevaeh Chevallier, Austin Fowler, David Mattson, Bentley Hilkirk, James Hilkirk, Sawyer McPherson, Carson Decker, Adrian Porche

Jonesville Elementary School – Isiaiah Hawkins, Micah Jones, Zhi’yon Lawrence, Aiden Farris, Holly Ballance, Marlyn Freeman, AJ Byrnes, Destin Jones, ZaMiracle Rhone, Jayden Lee, Zaiden Rhone, Payton Farris, Ayden Byrd, Charliyah Washington, Neavaeh Thomas, Elziah Beard, Brinya Wright, Draylin Cameron, MicKayla Shavers, Madison Day, Jayshun Higgs, Zion Moore, Landon Whatley, Al Watson, Colton Blaney, Aiden Comner, Prenton Jones, Judah Smith, Terrance Glasper

Central High School – David Dixon, Brock Smith, Sierrah Jordan

Block High School – Zaden Gasper, Lynn Pitts

Harrisonburg High School – Noah Gordon, Jacob Gay, Jason Richard, Audrye Moore, Jacob Spratt, Cameron Won, Rowan Smart, Abigail Book, Cayden Montpelier, Preston Smith, Koedrick Atkins, Caleb Hatton

Sicily Island High School – Jocelyn Mestayer, Riley Evans, Blake Scott, DaMorris Newbill, Rowland Wilson, Chyna Carlisle, Laci Keene, Angel Green

Olla Elementary School – Kamryn Smith, Cooper Derr, Tucker Hartwell, Hope Langley, Jasper Leavins, Kaylee Silas, Gabriel Smith, Haven Toney, Reagan Lofton, Tripp Traylor, Brandlee Franklin, Hunter Wyant, Bradley Matthews, Wyatt Austin, Gunner Butler, Bella Evans, Jaxton Reeves, Lee Roark, Myah Abshire, Jasmine Brown, Joshua Brown, Charlie Butler, Gabriel Butler, Amelia Goodeaux, Andrew Head, Trenton Seguin, James Brown, Tayler Randall, Samuel Rodriguez, Roderick West, Jordan Foster, Willow Aday, Kayden Dickerson

Jena Elementary School – Gaitlin Cobb, Micaela Lucas, Hunter Dauzat, Abram Cain, Dalton Leavins, Kaitlynn Rison, Kaydence Rison, Adrian Bowie, Elliott Skye, Reid Robbins, Gabriel Ryan, Owen Skye, Hezekiah Smith, Neveah Anderson, Jhiren Wilson, Tristan Davis, Caden Luneau, Ryder Shelton, Pyper Henry, Lennox Patten, Tyler Sharp, Asher Blasingame, Tamarion Simmons Unified Champion Schools

In 2018, LaSalle Parish Schools proudly joined the state Special Olympics organization and were recognized as a Unified Champion School district. The purpose of Unified Champion Schools is to promote social inclusion by bringing together students with and without intellectual disabilities on sports teams, inclusive school clubs and more. These activities help to foster friendships, promote acceptance and encourage inclusion of all students.

The Unified Relay Race participants include:

Good Pine Middle School – Laelani P., Madison C., Scarlett K., Hazel K., Marlin T., Caleb R., Hayden C., Sawyer T.

Jena High School – Aaliyah G., Jewellia C., Noel K., Jaxson M., Gabriel C., Isaiah T., Zoyle G., Antonia P.

Jena Junior High School – Summer L., Kyrielle N., MaKayla B., Stormy C., Louie B., Dylan T., Nolan W., Timothy S.

Jena Elementary School – Pyper H., Micaela L., Ellie E., Ramsey H., Caden L., Gatlin C., Cooper R., JT M.

LaSalle Junior High School – Destini S., Carolyn S., Tiffany S., Bailey R., Brodee B., Huey C., Tanner D., Bronx B.

Fellowship Elementary School – Izzy H., Katie S., Alyssa B., Terralyn C., Ashton S., Dylan H., Tatum M., Memphis H.

LaSalle High School – Nessa R., November S., Gabby H., Rheese M., Cole S., Callum P., Caiden F., Matthew S.

Nebo Elementary School – Nevaeh C., Avery H., Kami G., Hayden L., David M., Bentley H., Shawn E., Dawson S., Raegan F.

Olla Elementary School – Haven T., Kaylee S., Raegan W., Bailey D., Bradley M., Tenton S., Ayden W., Sladen D.