Show Special Olympians gatkc--r for competition workc-Iic'JD by Kristi Glissmeyer Dressed in a yellow maroon gym shorts and tennis shoes Virginia 26 is ready for her workout She will hit the weights run around the track and swim a few laps “I take my training seriously” Virginia said after she finished her daily routine “Special Olympics is a very important part of my life” At least 400 other mentally handicapped people seemed to share Virginia’s opinion as they participated in the Special Olympic Winter Games held at Utah State University Friday and Saturday Mentally handicapped students from 22 schools throughout the state came to USU and filled the halls of the Student Center Friday night as they registered for weekend events Friday’s festivities included a dinner dance bowling and games After the activities special olympians left with local families and students who volunteered to host the guests in their homes that night Early Saturday morning despite wind and cold 60 competitors boarded a bus to Beaver Mountain for an Olympic contest in the snow A parade and the lighting of a Special Olympic torch opened the event Gold silver and bronze metals were awarded those who placed in the different divisions Meanwhile a greater number of T-sh- 0 Q y O3$ C handicapped students remained on campus to attend training workshops conducted by student and staff o I- - w i Affii id Olympian nacia Logan the and a student volunteer participate in Friday's dance activities mentally handicapped students stayed with local families and hlaliwkovolunteercil to host the guests in their homes that night Vfortunate Jslys Hager fortunate and I’m still somewhat sur--- a id James Butcher reflecting on his being Rhodes Scholar for the year 1981 Butcher Logan High School graduate is one of fists nu in the United States who received the Scholarship this year and is now eligible for anof udy at Oxford University in England from Utah were nominated for L2- fudents !°UP- Butcher is the first USU graduate to - - IJ Rhodes Scholarship since 1959 competition held in Salt Lake City presented a personal essay on their aims and career desires The held a 25 minute interview with the ex" Rhodes Scholars df triltna for judging was based upon athletics character and leadership ability T o relax I kept waiting for someone joke or something” Butcher said UMervtews were over the nominees were vj the room while the judges discussed ihe personal interviews The and essays Ben brought back into the room Jere tyi n'r WOn was surprised “It was a tal Am People came up to me and con L® cross-countr- ' c ' The program is a confidence builder When they accomplish something they say "Look I can do this'" cz -- — ) She hopes that the general public the talents of men- - ' retarded tally people and realize that in time the handicapped will be capable of doing more and more The program is also a confidence builder according to Andersen “When these kids accomplish something and say ‘Look I can do this’ then they are grouting It is strengthening their One mentally handicapped woman shared her views on why she enjoys Special Olympics she said “When I do this I get high on myself Everybody should have goals and when you got a goal go for it I’m doing what I like to do not just in Special Olympics but in life and untying life is all that matters” The Special Olympics Winter Games were sponsored by Utah State and Logan Kiwanis Chib In addition to winter games the Special Olympic program offers and spring games later in the year The mentally handicapped who i pete in these games train year round for the upcoming competitions will soon recognize self-estee- -- i surprised' Ag's going to OjdfoM I wy volunteers The workshops dealt with a variety of activities Some students stretched to music at an aerobic dance workshop and others received tips for playing a better basketball game from Rod Tueller’s JV squad Relay races and an obstacle course sponsored by Sigma Nu got the blood moving Those who wished to acquire a new skill met on the quad for instruction in y skiing Clad in warm coats and filled with determination participants traveled across the while school coaches and area skiiert assisted the beginners Instruction in aits and crafts a petting zoo and a tour of the campus by hay wagon provided students with a short rest from physical activity “The main idea behind Olympics is to give the mentally retarded an opportunity to grow and' develop through athletic competition” said Jan Andersen ASUSU volunteers vice president and Special Olympics area coordinator realgratulated me I had to make sure that this was recalled he to me” ly happening Within the next three days Butcher went to California for the Southwest district competition From the western states there were 13 nominees and Butcher only four were to be chosen for the honor was the only one chosen from Utah “In California it was a lfttle more relaxed” said Butcher “It was interesting to see the split of people there and notice the differences in the candidates” interview In California there was also a e minutes “Twenty-fivgoes portion of the judging fast” said Butcher “After the interview was over I walked out with a empty feeling” three Again the judges deliberated for about were nominees brought back into hours When the rose to a crescentension the said Butcher the room do “When my name was called I stared in disbelief” Butcher had planned to continue his education even before he won the scholarship While at Oxford he does not plan to further his engineering education which he majored in while attending USU Instead Butcher is thinking about getting another undergraduate degree in philosophy politics and economics a degree offered at Oxford In the future Butcher said he would like to be an international engineering consultant He i m dz pressed a desire to get into teaching “People most important thing and if I can contribute to society in some way then that’s my mm gad” C--‘ Butcher Butcher said his father has been a great iw to him “He was able to share soane of his thoughtfulness and some of his wisdom of Kvfc- w! "i ” me I wouldn’t be where I am now wisbwst I “I One of Butcher’s bobbies it short story don’t get the same satisfaction from doirj else It breaks the rigidness of engineering and it's fun to look at people and to look beyond a cettaia aiy -j a ’ ' situation” Butcher has had his work published in tbe Cfcfc“ USU’s literary magazine “If I fck tiaat ary ’ j were getting better I might Idee to tty to there’s always room for improvement and 1 ' feel that my writing is up to it yet” Mountaineering is another hobby that CiC’Jv joys “Having grown up in Utah mouataast £ r always been my love” After winning the Rhodes SchtSacUp Cr Butcher took a trip to the f taincering trip “It’s just incre ' magical place” he pdl'' tn b i - |