—
Smiles and opportunity were abundant on a bright Tuesday afternoon, as athletes competed in the final rounds of the 35th annual Pennsylvania Special Olympics Winter Games.
With about 140 coaches at their sides, more than 300 athletes from across the state skied, skated and snowshoed for the gold at Cambria County rinks and resorts.
Some athletes earned multiple awards.
Jonathon Arvelo, 18, flashed a smile at his coach, Anne Gallaher, as she admiringly held a medal that hung from his neck.
Arvelo, a first-year competitor from Harrisburg, left Hidden Valley ski resort decorated with one silver and two gold medals.
“It feels good,” Arvelo said. “I like competing.”
Cheers and applause for the athletes rose from a crowd of fans at Hidden Valley.
“I love seeing the look of pure joy on the athletes’ faces,” said Special Olympics volunteer Cynthia Cromer.
Cromer, a National Honor Society sponsor for Pittsburgh-area Northgate High School, visited the games with dozens of students.
About 250 volunteers from more than a dozen high schools contributed to Tuesday’s events at Hidden Valley and Blue Knob ski resorts, and Cambria County War Memorial Arena and Planet Ice skating rinks.
Athens High School students traveled five hours to attend the Special Olympics Winter Games for the first time.
A group of more than 20 Athens students and teachers left Bradford County at 4 a.m. Tuesday to arrive at the Cambria County games.
“I can see us coming back in the future,” said Athens senior honor student Glenna Shores.
Shores’ volunteer responsibility at Planet Ice was specifically to open doors to the ice for athletes laced up in speed skates.
One of those athletes was Chester County speed skating team member, and multi-medal winner, Saleaf Becton.
“He always comes back to class proud of his medals,” said Sean Johnson, Becton’s coach and teacher at Devereux Kanner Learning Center.
“A lot of our kids love these games,” he said. “It is great competition.”
Allegheny County figure skating coach Renee Sullivan could barely contain her excitement at the Cambria County War Memorial.
“Allegheny County took home gold,” she said.
Jennifer Miller, 38, was one gold medalist on the Allegheny team.
“I feel proud,” she said, holding a bouquet of flowers.
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