Memory Lane: May 12, 2012

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From the May 12, 2012 edition of The Wayne Herald

First track meet a big hit for students at Wayne Elementary

Above and beyond could best describe the reaction to the first Nebraksa Spring Sprints track meet for students with developmental disabilities.

The first-ever meet was run Thursday at the Wayne Elementary track, and meet organizer Misty Beair said it was everything event organizers had hoped for and more.

The event was originally conceived by Jane Arens of Crofton, but the lack an all-weather track at Crofton's schools prompted a phone call to Beair, who is the director of special education for Wayne Public Schools.

It went well — even better than they were hoping for.

More than 200 people turned out for the day's competition, with members of the Wayne High National Honor Society helping and encouraging kids to run, jump and throw in a variety of events, from the standing long jump and softball to races on
the track.

Volunteers from Crofton and Wayne helped out throughout the day, as athletes from Wayne, Tower School, Crofton, Bloomfield, Homer, Winnebago, Wynot, Newcastle, Creighton, Hartington and Wakefield competed and won trophies for their efforts.

The hope for meet organizers is to eventually have this meet be a part of the Special Olympics program. Plans are already being made for next year's event, and Beair is hopeful that Special Olympics will pick up the event.