Athletes and supporters took a moment during Saturday’s Special Olympics to say thank you to a special supporter, as Janice Lee stepped down after directing the program for 36 years.
Lee was presented with flowers, while Gov. John deJongh, Jr. read the order proclaiming March 29 “Janice Lee Day,” to show the community’s appreciation.
“Janice Lee has been integral to the success of the Special Olympics in the Virgin Islands,” deJongh said.
With tears in her eyes, Lee thanked the volunteers, some who have participated since the first event, and lead the athletes in the Special Olympics oath, “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
And some did win and all were brave. Those who fell got back up grinning, and continued to run or jump.
The day began with a flourish, as a cadre from the Virgin Islands Police Department ran from Frederiksted and sprinted into St. Croix Renaissance Park with sirens blazing Saturday to deliver the Olympic torch and show support for the Special Olympians.
According to Assistant Police Commissioner Thomas Hannah, police departments across the country are participating in Special Olympics opening ceremonies, and the VIPD plans to make it an annual event.
After the torch was handed off, the athletes, volunteers and government officials paraded around the track, let by the St. Croix Central High School ROTC.
The excitement of the athletes, volunteers and families made up for a smaller than usual audience at the 38th annual Special Olympics. Winning seemed almost to be a side benefit, and not at all the most important goal of most of the athletes.
Rosemarie Dash, who competed in the 50-meter race, the softball throw and the standing long jump, said her favorite event is running. Smiling, the aptly named Dash said she already had won her race and added that she competed in the 2011 World Games in Greece. But what she really likes about the Special Olympics, she said, is the chance “to hang out with friends,” indicating Jacinth Carty.
Carty competed in the 50-meter run, the standing long jump and basketball. She agreed with Dash that they are good friends and talk on the phone a lot because she lives on St. Thomas at Yellow Cedar, a Lutheran Social Services residential program.
The Special Olympic athletes are divided into groups based on age and sex, so they compete on a level playing field, according to Lee. The competitions this year included running, basketball, bocce, tennis and field events.
The volunteers who help with the event are as focused as the athletes and as enthusiastic as their families. Juan Sanes has been a volunteer for five or six years, he said, and this year he was the group leader for four young men. His duties included getting the athletes lined up for their events on time, keeping them together, making sure they get lunch and cheering them on.
“Just seeing the look on their faces when they accomplish something, it fills you up,” Sanes said, explaining why he volunteers year after year.
Fernando Webster assisted Sanes with the group. Webster manages youth programs for the V.I. Labor Department and wanted to work with youth as a volunteer. This is his first time at the Special Olympics and he said he will be back.
“It’s a great event to support kids in our community and kids with disabilities,” he said.
The SOVI chapter includes all three U.S. Virgin Islands. Funds for the sporting events and travel to the competitions are raised through donations, according to Lee. The staff of six and coaches are all volunteers.
The World Special Olympics are held every four years, one week before the summer games of the International Olympics. Virgin Islands athletes compete with 10,000 Special Olympians from 180 chapters world-wide.
In 2012 Lee and five coaches took 14 Virgin Islanders to the Special Olympics in Greece. The cost wast $2,500 per individual plus airfare. That year, SOVI received almost $4,000 from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade committee and $35,000 from the V.I. Legislature, according to Lee.
Lee’s daughter, Jana will take up directing the SOVI organization. She has been involved for many years and coached the athletes for the World Games several times.
Although Lee is officially retired, she said, “I’ll be here always.”
