NATCHEZ — Thursday night’s Special Olympics banquet was the brainchild of Ricky Warren.

Warren wanted his son with special needs to be able to dress sharp and gather with his teammates for dinner, photos and awards just like any other athlete at any other school.

And when the 47 names of Natchez area special needs children were called at the Eola Hotel, the star athletes gunned it one-by-one through a maze of round dinner tables for their moment in the spotlight.

Warren’s dream was realized in the visible pride on the faces of the children lined up at the front of the room, facing their parents, loved ones and coaches.

“The banquet is inspiration to be recognized,” Warren said

Tommie Jones, the Area 7 Special Olympics Director, said most of the special needs children are not usually aiming for gold medals when they participate in the Olympic games — they just want to be a part of something.

Participating in community activities gives the children and adults with disabilities self-esteem, Jones said.

A confidence boost was witnessed Thursday night, when the Eola’s upstairs banquet room was transformed into an all-out dance party within the first few notes of the song “Mambo Number Five.”

Some of participants are more competitive than others. But Jones said competition at the Special Olympics exists on a deeper level than crossing a finish line.

“They don’t compete with themselves as much — as with their disability,” she said.

Track and field star Gloria Jackson, 15, said her gold medal for the 100-meter dash was nice, but the best part about competing in the national special games in Lincoln, Neb., was the new friends she made.

And her favorite part of the banquet was definitely “when everybody started dancing.”

Warren’s son, Chandler, also competed in the national games for swimming.

Chandler shook his head shyly when his father reminded him of his nickname when he wore the required, tight bathing suit.

But Chandler’s pride for his three metals and the special recognition at the banquet could probably compete with the joy his alias, Michael Phelps, felt after winning eight gold metals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

T-Shirts were distributed to all 47 special Olympians at the banquet.

Connie Gamberi received the volunteer of the year award, Patrice Cither received the Jennifer Steckler award, Jones received the Arch on Mississippi award and Laura Lee Saunders received the special friend award.

Walmart Manager Lionel Stepter attended the banquet and handed out some surprise award money, which local Walmart employees earned from the store’s corporate headquarters for their off the clock volunteer efforts.

Walmart cut Area 7 Special Olympics two $200-checks and a $2,000-check on behalf of its employee volunteers.

Watching the children with disabilities greet each other with high fives, hugs and shout-outs, Jones said there’s one reason why she does all she does for the Special Olympics.

“Seeing the smiles on those kids faces,” she said.