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Jackson County Recreation/Parks Department and Special Olympics Jackson County served as the host for the 2008 Smoky Mountain Far West Regional Spring Games on Friday, April 25. Smoky Mountain High School was the host site for the games. Over 300 athletes from Cherokee, Graham, Clay, Macon, Jackson and Qualla Boundary competed in various tract and field events winning Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. The games began with Lt. Kent Davis leading local law enforcement officers and other volunteers from WCU with the Olympic Torch. The torch made its way from Western Carolina University along Highway 107 to Smoky Mountain High School Football stadium where a crowd of approximately 1000 people waited anxiously for its entrance. Among the crowd were honored guests Congressman Heath Shuler, Senator John Snow, Chief Michele Hicks along with Sarah Lowell, Macon County, Ken Westmoreland, Jackson County Manager, Brian McMahan, Chairman of Jackson County Commissioners and Mayor Brenda Oliver. The opening ceremony began with a welcome from Mr. Jay Grissom, Principal of Smoky Mountain High School, followed by remarks from Congressman Shuler. Terri Hollifield, Director of Exceptional Children’s Programs officially announced the opening of the games as Sherriff Jimmy Ashe, Chief Jeff Jamison assisted Jason Hedrick, athlete from Jackson County with the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron. It was an awesome day of competition. The day was topped off with a visit from the Asheville Tourist Mascot, Teddy, WCU athletes, and WCU mascot Paws. A special thanks goes to Cheryl Conner from Southwestern Community College for her determination and hard work of volunteer recruitment. Without the hundreds of volunteers, the games would not have been possible. Abigail Blakley, Local Coordinator, Co Directors Pat Beasley and Sue Evans would like to thank the many sponsors for their generous contributions that made the games possible. Everybody was a winner on Friday!
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