(left) Student Steve Morris celebrates a medal with his Special Olympian 'buddy', Students cheer runners on the track (middle), Student Denzel Pearson measures distance in the shot put (right).

CHEROKEE, NC – In the crisp morning air, Oconaluftee students waited anxiously for the first of hundreds of special athletes and their families to arrive for the Far West Games 2011 Special Olympics hosted by the Qualla Boundary. Many were excited to meet their partner athlete for the first time while others were looking forward to the shot-put or tennis ball throw. “Service in the community is a big part of what we do at Oconaluftee- it just felt right giving back” said student Brittany Collins. “Special Olympics has long prided itself on being all about the athlete, all about their success. We are happy about any way we can contribute to that” said Liaison Specialist Holly Krake.

 During a moving opening in both the English and Cherokee languages, Tony Wolfe, member of the Qualla Boundary Special Olympics program recited the Athlete’s Oath “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” Songs and traditional blessings were also heard.

With the day off to a solid start, Oconaluftee students assisted in multiple areas including the opening Parade of Athletes, awarding of medals, long jump, shot put, and softball throw. Duties included record keeping, measuring shot put distances, cheering runners on the track, and more. Others partnered one-on-one with an athlete to be a personal coach and cheerleader. “I had a chance to cheer one athlete all day through each of his events. It meant so much to him… I don’t think I realized how much it would mean to me” said student Steven Morris. In total, over 250 athletes from a four county region participated in the Games.

The Oconaluftee Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center is associated with the National Forests of North Carolina. It is accredited by the Council On Occupational Education and currently serves 68 students.  The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.  The Agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to State and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. For more information about the Oconaluftee JCCCC, visit oconaluftee.jobcorps.gov

Oconaluftee students and staff at start of Games (left). Student Joycelyn Smith helps with the medal count (right).