17 Athletes from the Lubbock Independent School District were treated to a special send-off Wednesday morning as they headed to the state Special Olympics in Arlington.
“This trip is all about them, so the send off kind of starts it off and kicks it off,” head of the LISD delegation Cheyenne McBrayer said. “They get the red carpet treatment and it’s all about them and everyone is here to cheer them on.”
The LISD crew is part of a larger delegation of 67 athletes from the South Plains that will be going for gold in basketball, soccer, and track.
“Anytime you see an athlete competing and when they get their medals and just the fun we have on the trip,” McBrayer said. “It’s just pure joy and I wouldn’t give it up for the world.”
The weekend long trip is made possible, in part, to the fundraising efforts of the Lubbock Police Department.
“We’re not out there just writing tickets and everything,” Sgt. Jimmy Pachall said. “We actually give back to the community.”
Several officers also took off for Arlington on foot Wednesday morning, with the Special Olympic torch in tow.
“These kids that might have been dealt an unfortunate hand in life, they need their hand up and we are here to give it to them,” Sgt. Pachall said.
The community’s effort in raising money for the Special Olympics isn’t lost on the athlete’s parents.
“They’ll never know the impact that it makes for these kids,” parent Kristie Bovkoon said. “It’s a time for them go to go and feel like they are a part like everybody else and they get some freedom and some independence and they just get to have fun with their friends.”
The state Special Olympics summer games are May 26-29 in Arlington.
