Tribune editorial staff

They don't call it Special Olympics for nothing. After all, it takes a lot of special people to keep an event such as this one going year after year.

First, we congratulate the athletes themselves, who all compete for the pure joy of the challenge. Approximately 400 students from Open Door school and all of Lawrence County's public school systems competed Wednesday.

Like all athletes, these children train for the competition and exert every ounce of energy they can. However, it is more than about winning or losing - it is about opportunity.

Having the opportunity to compete against one another provides these young people with not only a boost in their self esteem through accomplishments, but also camaraderie from being around their peers. Having this opportunity also helps keep these young people physically fit.

However, these athletes would never have the opportunity to compete if it were not for the volunteers who selflessly give of their time to assist in all phases of planning and during the event itself. Here in Lawrence County, we are lucky to be surrounded by hundreds of Special Olympics supporters who make every effort to raise enough money to keep the program viable.

We offer a tip of the hat to all who helped make the event a success, but particularly Sharon Blankenship, event coordinator, and Barbara Williams,

the 2004 Special Olympic Volunteer of the Year. Williams has worked 17 years with the event.

In all, more than 140 people volunteered their time and many organizations and businesses chipped in to supervise events and make donations. Year in and year out, the Special Olympics would not be possible without the selfless devotion of each and every one of these people.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone - past and present - who have made the Special Olympics a part of Lawrence County for 30 years now.