The backs of maroon shirts worn by Dunkirk students were marked with a quote from Winnie-the-Pooh.

“It makes such a difference to have someone who believes in you.”

Students of all ages and abilities had hundreds of people on hand Wednesday morning who believed in them.

“We just love to support all of our kids,” said Dunkirk Intermediate School Principal Kim Texter. “We have a really great time. It’s a beautiful event. … Everybody gets to win today.”

Gordon Carpenter, Chief of University Police, carried a torch through Steele Hall for the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run to kick off the Special Olympics on Wednesday.

Roughly 400 students came from districts around the area, from nearby Dunkirk and Fredonia to Brocton, Forestville, Silver Creek, Gowanda, Lake Shore, North Collins, and Pine Valley. The LoGuidice Center had the largest presence of the day, while newcomers to the event included Eden and Baker Road BOCES.

Hundreds gathered outdoors under clear, sunny skies on a 70-degree day upon arrival. Schools filed into the Steele Hall Fieldhouse one by one until the participants of the Law Enforcement Torch Run took a lap around the track. Students from each school then followed with a lap of their own.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a tradition to kick off each year’s event. Runners gather at Dunkirk High School and carry a torch on their trek to SUNY Fredonia. Since the Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1986, more than $14 million has been raised for Special Olympics of New York.

Gordon Carpenter, Chief of University Police, carried the torch through Steele Hall with a group of runners beside him. Carpenter has participated in the Torch Run at SUNY Fredonia for the past three years, but saw a similar response to the event in Maryland prior to coming to Fredonia. The support he feels from the Special Olympians at Fredonia during the Torch Run is what motivates him to finish strong.

“It’s humbling. I love to see the athletes when we come around Ring Road, coming into Dods Grove. You get a pep in your step and you move a little bit faster for them,” Carpenter said.

Dunkirk’s Mekiah Sedlacek crosses the finish line to take second place in the 100-meter dash at the annual Special Olympics competition at SUNY Fredonia on Wednesday.

Zach Zentz participated in the Torch Run for the fourth time on Wednesday, dating back to his time at Dunkirk High School. Zentz is now a SUNY Fredonia student-athlete on the baseball team and co-founder of the Special Olympics Club at SUNY Fredonia.

Zentz said the connection between his club, the local schools, and the law enforcement officers participating in the Torch Run is unique. “It’s really cool to be a part of something like this,” Zentz said. He hopes to further strengthen the bonds between the groups in the coming years through events targeting a variety of age groups.

“I am so pleased to partner with the Special Olympics Club at the university,” Carpenter said. “Just watching them and their enthusiasm for the Special Olympians, it’s incredible. I’m glad to be a part of that. It inspires us.”

Once the games began, Steele Hall featured various events, including a long jump into the sand pit, a 100-meter dash, and an adapted wheelchair race. Outdoors, there were softball and tennis ball tosses, as well as various other Olympic activities on the courts. Participants received ribbons for their efforts.

“I’m not sure if there’s anything better than seeing a kid jump, and smile, and run, to feel seen and earn a ribbon,” said Stephanie Berghold, Dunkirk Intermediate School Assistant Principal.

Brocton Elementary students are pictured holding their custom banner during a lap around the track at the annual Special Olympics competition on Wednesday at SUNY Fredonia.

A handful of students from various districts also received medals in honor of Katie Campbell Rexford, a former Special Education Teacher who was killed in a car accident.

Samantha Gilmore coordinated the event for the fourth time this year as Northern Chautauqua County Special Olympics Director. She set up the event with each of the districts and SUNY Fredonia. Matt Henry, School Counselor at the LoGuidice Center, handled introductions and welcomed the athletes to the event. Henry commended Gilmore for how hard she works each year setting up the event.

Henry said this year’s event was the largest of its kind, with what he called an “impressive” turnout. Henry has been involved with Special Olympics for over a decade, but the joy of the event never gets old.

“It’s about watching the kids have fun,” Henry said. “It’s their moment in the sun, their time to shine. They don’t always get that, but they are the center of the day today.”

The adapted wheelchair race was one of several events at the annual Special Olympics competition at SUNY Fredonia on Wednesday.

Hundreds of students and staff filled Steele Hall on Wednesday at the annual Special Olympics competition at SUNY Fredonia.