PROCTORVILLE - "Let me win. But if I cannot win,

let me be brave in the attempt."

Those words were spoken at the first Special Olympics Summer Games in 1968. Today, the words still serve as the Special Olympics athletes' oath.

Approximately 400 students in Lawrence County's 30th annual Special Olympics held that oath close to their hearts during Wednesday's activities at Fairland High School's athletic stadium.

Although Special Olympics volleyball and basketball activities are held throughout the year, the annual extravaganza is the one where participants from all county public school districts and Open Door School gather together for competitive sports.

Numerous games were held in the gym for students who could not participate in track events. Event coordinator Sharon Blankenship said every county school participated this year.

Open Door School's Jimmy Fields garnered two more medals to add to his 75-plus medal collection from previous years' participation.

His mother, Sandy Fields, was proud to watch her son finish second in the softball throw and long jump.

"He's participated in this for 17 years. 'Jimmy, you make me happy.'" she said.

Chesapeake Middle School's Sarah Riley took home two gold medals. The 12-year-old has been participating in Special Olympics for six years. She said it was fun and she had been looking forward to the event for weeks.

"It is a great opportunity for everyone to get together will all of the local school districts … it also provides an opportunity for socialization," said Sarah's teacher Jayme Wall.

Ironton High School senior Clinton Foxwell won two gold medals - the 50-meter dash and long jump.

"I jumped all the way across the track," said the soon-to-be graduate.

Fairland had eight students entered in events and each won medals.

"They (the students) started practicing two month ago," said teacher Terry Hazlett.

"It's an accomplishment to win, but I think it's more about having fun," freshman Jeremy Gardner of South Point High School said.

Gardner himself won in the 50-meter dash and long jump.

Barbara Williams was named the 2004 Special Olympic Volunteer of the Year. She has worked 17 years with the olympics in many different ways. During this year's event, she was busy supervising lunch services.

Events were broken down into categories allowing for participants' age, sex, times and distances with six students allowed in each event.

More than 140 people volunteered their time in addition to the teaching staffs. Several area organizations and businesses provided invaluable help in supervising events and gave prize donations, Blankenship said.

See Sunday's edition of The Ironton Tribune for additional photos from the Special Olympics.