GENTRY -- Special education students who usually do not get to participate in school track meets had their day to compete on Friday in Gentry. Students of all ages came to Gentry High School from Decatur, Siloam Springs, Lincoln and Pea Ridge to join Gentry students for track and field events.
The students threw softballs, tennis balls and the shot put in events. They took their turns in the standing broad jump and competed in races. Since the events were new to many, coaches, special education teachers and aides, with the help of Gentry students who served as support staff, explained and sometimes demonstrated the events to students.
And then they all had their opportunities to participate in the activities, and smiles of accomplishment lit up their faces as they tossed softballs, jumped and raced. High school students who were assisting in the track meet noticed those smiles and commented to each other about how happy and thrilled their fellow students were to do those things that most just take for granted.
And there were prizes for winners too. Officers from the Gentry Police Department were on hand to hang medals around the necks of winners as they mounted the podium in the winners' circle at the meet. And the officers were truly honored as friends and heroes when students came up to them and gave them hugs even before the track and field events began.
All in all, it was a special day for special students, which also made the day special for those who were there with those students and saw the joy on their faces at the first annual special education track meet in Gentry.
General News on 05/20/2015