Jordi Stewart, a 9-year-old student from Buffalo Ridge, proudly lent her support to the Wyoming State Summer Games of the Special Olympics. On Friday afternoon, she was at Thunder Basin High School’s track cheering on athletes while they ran, walked, threw and rolled. In addition, Jordi assisted Lander Special Olympian Nick Eisnnicher with the 30-meter slalom, providing him with a Powerade upon completion, and also helped out with the basketball skills competitions over the weekend. Her presence was greatly appreciated among the hundreds of athletes who participated in the games.
David Manning proudly decided to coach a basketball team, as well as swimming and track athletes for the three-day event. His enthusiasm for the Special Olympics has spanned over 30 years in several Wyoming communities, from Thermopolis to Riverton to Laramie and now Gillette. Manning’s motivation comes from the joy of seeing athletes give their best every day despite having bad days, noting “It’s to show my support for everybody, because everybody can do their best today.”
One of Manning’s star basketball players, Brady Merchant from Sheridan, recently took home gold with his team in 3 on 3 basketball. He attributed their success to his team’s strategy of offensive rebounding, emphasizing that their victory was not due to size, but rather timing and skill. Brady proudly commented, “I’m smaller, but I’m quick, so I just go for the putbacks.” Modeling his game after some of the greatest basketball players of all time, including LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson, Brady particularly admires Jokic for his ability to lead a team. Reflecting on his experience, Brady said he is grateful for the opportunity to have made new friends and reconnected with old ones.
“It was a great time and I’ll never forget it.” said McGrath, who was proud to witness the enthusiasm of all the participants. Everyone treated each other with respect and compassion no matter the outcome of the competition, cheering on the victors with as much joy as those feeling defeated. King expressed her amazement at meeting athletes and families from all around Wyoming, saying it felt like they had known each other their entire lives, giving her a sense of belonging to something special.
With the 2024 Special Olympics summer games coming back to Gillette, McGrath is strongly encouraging others to join her in volunteering. She believes that everyone should experience what she feels, helping individuals with disabilities and reminding them that their condition does not define them.
It is evident that Special Olympics, and individuals who support it like Jordi Stewart, Nick Eisnnicher, and David Manning, are such empowering influences passion that transcends across any barriers. It is clear that these particular individuals have lended a helping hand in order to bring a more unified and supportive community to those who are participating or just cheering them on. Whether that be volunteering one’s time and energy or even dispatching words of encouragement, collectively they have done an incredible job in advancing the much needed message of acceptance and celebration of inclusivity within society.
