BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The day started with a lively marching band playing hits like "Seven Nation Army" by the White Stripes, and ended with hugs and tears of joy.
It was the Special Olympics for students all across the Bethlehem Area School District. Some kids from out of town even came to volunteer and cheer on their friends, and hundreds were lining the bleachers at Liberty High School.
- A Special Olympics competition brought students from the Bethlehem Area School District and beyond for a day of friendly competition.
- This year's games were dedicated to longtime emcee and coordinator, Rick Agretto.
- Agretto had been emceeing and helping with the games for forty years — and says he plans to retire next year but might come out of retirement for another Special Olympics.
The games featured events like the 100-meter dash, softball throwing and long jump.
The starting "gun" for the 100-meter dash wasn't a gun at all — but a wooden percussion instrument that makes a light slapping sound. It's less startling for some and gets the job done just the same.
At the long jump, athletes were seen stretching their legs, some bouncing with excitement. Volunteers marked the ground with chalk, and some drew little smiley faces as well, to encourage their friends in the games while they competed.
The announcer repeatedly reminded fans to stay off the track during the games. Parents and loved ones listened, but got as close as possible to smile and root for the athletes, some even politely cutting in front of the coaches and volunteers.
Hot dog stands were set up around the track, treating athletes after they finished their sports. There was also a charity selling t-shirts with colorful messages such as "Inclusion is Everything."
'Buddies'
The youth volunteers are affectionately called "buddies," and serve on an approximately 1:1 ratio for the athletes, keeping them company, cheering them on and lending a helping hand when needed.
The competition was friendly, not fierce. Athletes could be seen high-fiving and hugging their opponents, and nobody seemed too worried about taking the first-place stand on the podium.
Every athlete in the games was given a ribbon of some kind. At one point, a "buddy" reminded an athlete about this, when he looked a bit discouraged after not doing as well as he had hoped in a sprint.
'Thank you, Rick'
The event's emcee, Rick Agretto, has been speaking into the microphone for forty years, never missing a Special Olympics day at Liberty High.
"There's nothing like it... Getting everybody together here for this wonderful event, seeing them work together. I'm going to miss it a lot, and it's been great doing this."
Rick Agretto, emcee and coordinator
To mark the milestone, as well as his planned retirement, athletes came out holding a banner that read "Thank you, Rick," decorated with the Olympic rings and their handprints in paint.
Agretto was also honored by a proclamation, read aloud by a teacher, from Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds, declaring April 27 to be "Rick Agretto Day."
When asked what he would miss most, the emcee said, "The kids."
"There's nothing like it," he said. "Getting everybody together here for this wonderful event, seeing them work together. I'm going to miss it a lot, and it's been great doing this."
One of the other emcees joked that he would probably be getting a call next year to see if he'll come out of retirement and emcee the games again. When asked if he'll pick up the phone, Agretto said, "Absolutely, I'll always pick up the phone for them."
Agretto started his career in special education and then got "hooked" as he described it. Something about working and supporting those living with disabilities made it impossible to do anything else, he said.
At the end of the games, parents and loved ones rushed onto the field, congratulating the athletes for a job well done.
Many also stopped to thank Rick Agretto.