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Shamar Davis, and Darian Dee take off to compete in the 50 meter dash during the Special Olympics held at Natchez High School. (Nicole Hester/The Natchez Democrat)

Mercedes Costley raises her hands as she crosses the finish line during the Special Olympics 25 meter wheelchair race held at Natchez High School on Friday. (Nicole Hester/The Natchez Democrat)

Kirraney Gordon, 15, holds Tamara Brown's, 11, hand while walking the track at the Special Olympics held at Natchez High School. (Nicole Hester/The Natchez Democrat)

Emma Montgomery hugs Destiny Lyles during the Special Olympics at Natchez High School. Lyles said everyday at lunch Montgomery makes sure to give her a hug when she sees her. (Nicole Hester/The Natchez Democrat)

Al'Pacino Jenkins high-fives Leon Harris after competing in the 50 meter dash during the Specail Olympics held at Natchez High School. (Nicole Hester/The Natchez Democrat)

NATCHEZ — As the countdown began Maggie Burns rushed to the fence to watch and cheer — the Special Olympics had begun.

Burns, an athlete who had also led the pledge of allegiance, said the Special Olympics regional contest, hosted at Natchez High School on Friday, was one of her favorite times of the year.

“It is fun and challenging to be a part of the Special Olympics,” she said. “I like to be with my friends. We just have fun.”

Lou Ann Jordan’s daughter, Ashlyn, was standing beside Burns as the first events started.

“My daughter is non-verbal, but she loves it,” Jordan said. “She does not get overly excited about anything, but she is constantly pointing to the Special Olympics symbol every year.

“She looks forward to it.”

Jordan said the organization has been good to her daughter, as it is for the other athletes who participate in it.

“This is the big thing she does every year,” she said. “She loves to be with her friends and getting to cheer them on.

“She had been sitting down but she jumped up to get to the fence when it started.”

Dionte Claiborne, 17, of Natchez High School, was going to be running the 100-meter dash and participating in the stand-alone jump.

“I like track and field,” he said. “I run fast. All of my friends are out here.”

Having his friends cheer him on is probably the best part of it, Claiborne said.

“The fans love me,” he said. “I have a good time on the field.”

As part of her health sciences class, Breanna Ramsey, 17, had volunteered to be a student helper. She thought it was important that she participated because she wants to work in the health industry one day.

“At first, I was scared to come out,” Ramsey said. “In the movies, you know, (people with special needs) look mean.

“But you get out here, and they are just like you and me. They just need a little help, but hey, everyone needs a little help sometimes.”

Area 7 Special Olympics Director Tommie Jones said Friday’s event was leading up to the state championships in Biloxi May 20-22. The area registered 120 athletes for the regionals, and 53 of them will be able to compete in the state championships next month.

“They all have so much fun,” she said. “When they finish, they begin looking forward to next year’s event.”

Assistant Area 7 director Patrice Cothern said it is all about seeing the expression on the athletes’ faces.

“I think they feel like they can compete against each other and not be singled out as being special,” she said. “They have such a good time, they are all just smiling and laughing.

“They truly enjoy it when they get to compete.”

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