COLQUITT COUNTY, Ga. — Special Olympics athletes in Colquitt County were honored with letterman jackets on Friday, Jan. 16, during a ceremony recognizing their commitment on and off the field.

The annual ceremony celebrates upcoming senior Special Olympics athletes for their years of dedication to training and competing at both local and state levels.

“So this ceremony we do every year now is to honor our upcoming senior Special Olympics athletes— just to honor their commitment to Special Olympics and the years that they have dedicated to training and competing both at the local level and at the state level,” said Mitchell McKinney, local coordinator for Special Olympics. “I’m super excited about it. These guys are super excited about it, and I’m really proud of them.”

The athletes have competed in flag football, basketball, soccer, cheerleading and other sports.

Kamden Richter, a basketball player, said he’s proud to inspire younger athletes.

“I’m glad I get to inspire people that are looking at us, like the younger generation— like the people who are in first grade, second grade, whatever grade who look towards us, be like ‘I wanna be like them, I wanna do what they can,’” Richter said.

For Javeon Allen, a flag football player, the recognition holds personal meaning.

“It means a lot for me, for my mom— make her proud of me. I wanna keep going. I’m the only one graduating. I wanna make my mom proud and stuff,” Allen said.

The ceremony gave multiple Special Olympic athletes in Colquitt County a chance to be recognized and celebrated for their hard work.

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