Drill instructor Doug Ricci from Lakeview Correctional Facility leads athletes in a famous marching cadence during opening ceremonies of the 30th Annual Northern Chautauqua County Special Olympics. Photo by Damian Sebouhian

FREDONIA — The motto of the Special Olympics is “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

More than 350 athletes from eight area schools bravely competed during Wednesday’s 30th annual Northern Chautauqua County Special Olympics held at State University of New York at Fredonia.

Boys and girls competed in such events as the 200-meter race, the softball throw, long jump, tennis throw and javelin throw.

The opening ceremonies took place inside a raucous and packed Steele Hall gymnasium.

After each school’s athletes poured into the stadium with a lap around the track and donning their respective school colors, MC Dan Bolles took the mic and thanked all the participants.

“This event would not take place today if we did not have the right volunteers,” Bolles said. “We have volunteers today from Pine Valley, Silver Creek, Forestville, Cassadaga, BOCES Maple Ave. Academy, Fredonia Middle School Service Learning Club, Fredonia, Dunkirk, P-Tech, LoGuidice Center and Brocton.”

Bolles gave a special shout out to lead organizer Maureen Bialaszewski.

Dunkirk City Mayor Wilfred Rosas spoke of the unique community strength demonstrated by the Special Olympics athletes and volunteers.

“These things don’t happen when people work as individuals, but when they work as communities together,” Rosas said. “That’s what I’m seeing here today. Our communities here in Northern Chautauqua County getting together and pulling this event off.

“To all the athletes the message is very simple. Number one: compete hard today; this is your day. Number two: try your best. Number three, most importantly, have fun. This is your day.”

A moment of silence was held for former Dunkirk athlete Nate Gavin who recently passed away.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Ethan Cooper from Fredonia High School and Dan Bolles sang the “Star Spangled Banner.”

David O’Rourke, district superintendent and CEO at E2CCB served as guest speaker for the event.

“I want to talk about the word ‘special’,” O’Rourke began. “Everyone of us has unique talents, unique abilities. We all have strengths; none of us have all the strengths.”

O’Rourke engaged the crowd with questions about what particular set of skills the athletes bring to the field. The crowd responded with enthusiastic cheers.

“What’s special about today is you,” O’Rourke emphasized. “Because of your talents, you inspire us with your trying. We want to see that today. We want to celebrate that today. You lift everybody with your efforts and the way you challenge yourselves.”

Area law enforcement representatives partnered with athletes conducted the running of the torch around the track.

Athlete Ryan Ziegler acted as honorary torch bearer. Ziegler is the nephew of former torch runner Scott Kolawski of the Brocton Shock Treatment Center. Kolawski passed away in October of 2017.

“On behalf of law enforcement, this means a lot to us,” announced drill instructor Doug Ricci from Lakeview Correctional Facility. “I’m retiring in December, so this is very special just for me because it’s my last torch run that I’m going to be able to run as a law enforcement (member). Then I can run as a retired law enforcement.”

Ricci led the athletes in a marching cadence:

“Mama, Mama can’t you see, what this life is doing to me? Mama, Mama, can’t you see, all the athletes here for me?”

It was announced that three area athletes will be going to the Nationals at the end of June in Seattle, Washington. They are Mya Torres, who will be competing in track and field; Kyle Eddy and Josh Holsinger will be competing in Bocce Ball. Coach Barbara Haverty of Dunkirk will be attending as the coach for Bocce Ball.

Athletes from the following schools participated in Wednesday’s event: Gowanda, Pine Valley, Silver Creek, Cassadaga, Fredonia, Brocton, Dunkirk and the LoGuidice Center BOCES.

“It’s a beautiful day today,” said O’Rourke. “It’s a hot day, but it’s a beautiful day. Four weeks ago, it was freezing outside, so we’re glad we have this day today.”