A parade of athletes with the hearts of champions competed in Special Olympics Louisiana Red River Area Games March 18.
Athletes, coaches and supporters from East Natchitoches Elementary, Fairview Alpha, Goldonna, Lakeview, Marthaville, Natchitoches Central, NSU Middle Lab, Provencal, Weaver Elementary, Cenla, Red River, Castor and Natchitoches ARC took part in track and field contests, arts and crafts, a cornhole tournament and free play activities at Northwestern State University’s Walter Ledet Track and Field Complex.
NSU’s President’s Leadership Program hosted the event, one of the organization’s community impact projects, with student, faculty and staff volunteers from St. Mary’s, Natchitoches Central, NSU First Year Experience, Alpha Lambda Delta, Blue Key Honor Society, NSU Athletics, Student Services, Recruiting, Residential Life and several other campus offices. Special Olympics was also supported by BOM Bank, Natchitoches Area Jaycees and the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, which provided lunches for competitors/artists and coaches.