Kings Park Athletes Compete in Special Olympics

More than 800 athletes took participated in the 2013 Special Olympics Spring Games at Commack High School on April 21,  including 14 student athletes from Kings Park High School.
Kings Park athletes took part in nine different sports, including track, softball tosses, long jump, shot put and more. According to Danielle Colby-Rooney, Kings Park  Administrator for Pupil Personnel Services , students medaled in the 100- meter run, softball toss and javelin toss.

“It was well attended,” said Colby-Rooney. “We had a variety of participants from peer leadership groups who accompanied them to the game. Our advisors, Sally Ayres, Sharon Cohen, Regina Symanski, Peter Thompson and Kim McGinley did a wonderful job.”

State Senator John Flanagan and Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick welcomed the athletes. Cheers rang from the crowd as the Commack marching band led the athletes in a parade during the opening ceremonies. Participants lit the Olympic Torch and family and friends enjoyed spending time in the Olympic Village, which featured vendors, carnival games, activities and booths by event sponsors including Geico, Cannon and NEFCU.

About 600 volunteers helped put the event, which is the largest Special Olympics competition event on Long Island, together.

Click through the images above to check out the scenes from this very special day.
Amanda Lindner contributed to this report.