More than 140 students and supporters filled Buckeye Stadium with cheers Friday, March 30, as Gilmer ISD hosted its first Special Olympics.

The Gilmer Kiwanis Club joined with the Upshur County Special Education Cooperative in sponsoring the event. Students from Gilmer, Big Sandy, Union Grove, Union Hill, New Diana and Harmony attend the cooperative.

“It is one of the best things we have done,” said a source from the Gilmer Athletic Department, “and we plan to do it again next year.”

In addition to the students which attended the Upshur County cooperative, athletes came from Kilgore, Center, Mabank, and Wood County.

The following students from Gilmer received medals:

Earning gold medals on a relay team were teammates Nick Woods, Malcolm Bryant, Marvin Bryant, and Garrett Liles.

Getting a silver medal in their relay were Harlie Harris, Dexter Graham, Trenton Carter, and Cesar Chavez.

Dexter Graham received a gold medal for the 100 meter and a silver for the javelin.

Nick Woods received a silver medal for the 200 meter and gold for the javelin.

Malcolm Bryant received a gold for the 200 meter and a gold for the javelin.

Cesar Chavez received a silver in the 100 meter and a bronze for softball.

Marvin Bryant received a gold for the 400 meter and a gold for softball.

Garrett Liles received a silver in the 200 and silver in the long jump.

Trenton Carter received a bronze for the 100 meter and silver for softball.

Harlie Harris received a bronze in the 100 meter and a silver for softball.

Participants will continue in action at the area competition in Lufkin on April 27 and 28.

Medals at the Gilmer Special Olympics were handed out by reigning Yamboree Queen Drew Danielle Henson-Hill and Yamboree Princess Bethany RuthAnn Royer.