The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Award-winning smiles and good sportsmanship on display

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It was one of those days when everyone went home a winner.

Athletes and staff members make their way around the track during the Special Olympics Showcase, at Achievers Day School, at 18288 U.S. 41 in Lutz. The school is for children with special needs, and on this day, they had a chance to show off skills they’ve been developing through the year. (Fred Bellet)

About 30 athletes even had medals to prove it.

They clearly relished their moment in the sun, as they demonstrated their skills in  jumping, balancing, running, and kicking a ball during the Special Olympics Showcase at Achievers Day School, in Lutz.

Six-year-old Annabella Rose, of Tampa, gets some help with her swing, from an Achievers Day School staffer.

Players from the Tampa Bay Tornadoes arena football team were on hand during the Feb. 26 event, to help out with the special track and field events.

Staffers from Achievers Day School — a private school for children with special needs — also were there to offer help or moral support, as the athletes rounded the bases, or ran on the track, or did their bit to shoot a soccer ball or make an athletic move.

It was an afternoon that gave these young athletes a chance to put into action the motor skills they’ve been developing all year.

And, it wasn’t always easy to tell who was happier — the athletes, or the spectators there cheering on as their favorite athlete showed what he, or she, could do.

Published March 10, 2021

‘Coach’ Zack Cimaglia runs with Eliezer Hernandez during a track event. Players from the Tampa Bay Tornadoes professional arena football team were on hand to help out.
Three year-old Wyatt Edwards, of Dade City, beams with pride and happiness, while holding the Special Olympics gold medal he just received from ‘Coach’ Zack Cimaglia, a kicker for the Tampa Bay Tornadoes professional arena football team.
Fourteen-year-old Savanna Sanders flashes a smile of success, during a ball game at Achievers Day School, on Special Olympics Day. Registered behavioral therapist Payton DeAndre, of Plant City, doubled as a base coach that day.
Yara Caceres’ glasses reveal the track and field event she was watching at the Special Olympics. The Land O’ Lakes resident was waiting for her son, Sebastian Ortiz, 13, to round the track.
Five-year-old Alessia Bowman, of Land O’ Lakes, bounces off the soccer netting — after kicking the ball into the goal.
It’s a proud moment for 8-year-old Alana Alderman, as she receives her gold medal for taking part in the Special Olympics at Achievers Day School in Lutz.

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Comments

  1. Such a great event!!! I want to thank everyone involved in making this a special day for our kiddos. Thanks to all who donated their time, funds, equipment, and their love. Big thank you to the Special Olympics, couldn’t have done it with out this organization.

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