A Special Afternoon for Charlotte Students Teamed with Special Athletes

Charlotte Observer, The (NC)
1995-04-28
Section: METRO
Edition: ONE - FOUR
Page: 1C

DEBORAH PARKHILL MULLIS, Staff Writer

It took more than an hour to coax 16-year-old Erica Greene to throw her softball during the Special Olympics competition Thursday.

But Erica and her student buddy Laurie MacMillan had a good time along the way. ``I like to be a buddy because it's one-on-one with the athlete . . . it makes you feel really good,'' said Laurie, a senior at Charlotte Country Day. More than 900 physically and mentally disabled students will compete in the two-day Charlotte-Mecklenburg Special Olympics, which continues today with events including jumping, swimming and track.

Another 2,500 people from various businesses and groups in the community volunteered as buddies, timers and coaches.

Winners go on to state competition. The first N.C. state games were in 1970 with 400 athletes. Now, about 23,000 athletes participate at the local level each year. This is Country Day's 12th year hosting the spring games and Laurie's fourth year as a buddy. ``The first time you're . . . so overwhelmed with the responsibility, but after you've done this for a while you can be personal with them and have fun,'' said Laurie.

At 10 a.m., Laurie and a few friends walked up to buses of athletes arriving from Charlotte-Mecklenburg's Metro School to pair up with students. ``They pick you,'' explained Laurie.

Erica, who's just shy of 5 feet tall with short brown hair and big brown eyes, stepped off the bus and eyed the volunteers. It didn't take long for her to decide on Laurie, who was wearing a white Country Day T-shirt and a big smile.

``Look at Erica's fingernails - they're painted,'' Laurie said to her friends. Erica smiled, held out her hands and wiggled her red fingertips. They hugged.

Erica was scheduled to run a race and throw a softball but she was nervous about competing. She decided instead to talk to the Country Day students posing as clowns. Their painted faces, polka-dot suits, and balloons intrigued Erica, who was determined to meet all 15 of them.

``Let's go to your event,'' said Laurie.  Erica shook her head no.

``It'll be fun,'' said Laurie.

``Only watch,'' said Erica.

``Come on,'' said Laurie, hooking arms with Erica.  The two of them ran down a grassy hill.

``We're going to the softball throw now,'' said Laurie.  She finally got Erica to toss the ball.

``Throw it Erica, throw it as hard as you can!'' said the clown.  

Erica threw the ball a few feet and looked at Laurie. ``I'm so proud of you. You did great!'' Laurie said.

The next time Erica threw the ball a bit farther. She didn't win the contest, but on her final throw she achieved a personal victory. The ball finally crossed the yellow line at the end of the field.