Tharptown High School hosted Franklin County’s first Special Olympics last week. Students from each school in the county converged on Tharptown for a morning of fun competition and games followed by lunch.

Tharptown special education teacher Kamri Fleming and Red Bay special education teacher Elizabeth Scott co-organized the event and raised the money and resources to make the games a reality.

“It was truly a blessing to watch the Special Olympic games. I love these students, and it was heartwarming seeing them have so much fun,” said Franklin County Schools Superintendent Greg Hamilton.  

“Thank you to Kamri Fleming and Elizabeth Scott for all their hard work organizing this event. Thank you to the Special Education Department and teachers and all the volunteers. I hope this will be an annual event. The students deserve it.”

Fleming said her desire for her students to have a day of their own started the process.

“I wanted to start the Special Olympics because it is important that our kids have their very own special day where it is all about them. They don’t always get to experience the excitement that comes with being a high school athlete. It truly was an awesome day, filled with lots of smiles and even some tears,” she said.

Scott echoed Fleming’s sentiments.

“Kamri asked me if I wanted to help her plan a county-wide Special Olympics, and I couldn’t wait to get the planning started. These kids aren’t a part of the athletic programs our schools have and they deserve their own opportunity to be celebrated. I was overwhelmed with happiness when I walked into Tharptown’s stadium to see so many kids from across Franklin County there to participate in the Special Olympics.”