BERLIN – Members of the local law enforcement community showed their support for Special Olympics Maryland with a torch run through Ocean City and Berlin this week.
As part of the 30th Annual Maryland Torch Run, local law enforcement officers participated in a torch relay in Ocean City and Berlin June 1. They were cheered on by students from several area schools as they jogged, with police escort, through the area carrying the iconic torch as it makes its way to Towson University for the Special Olympics Summer Games to be held this weekend.
The torch run was started in 1986, when a handful of officers raised $5,000 for Special Olympics. The movement has grown significantly through the years and in 2014 raised more than $2 million.
Just days before the law enforcement community started its torch run for Special Olympics Maryland, other members of the local community participated in a similar event in advance of the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles.
Eight students from Pocomoke High School traveled to Annapolis last week to take part in a nationwide torch relay that will deliver the “Flame of Hope” to the Special Olympics World Games set to begin July 25. Students were thrilled to be able to carry the torch along a half-mile stretch as it made its way across the country.
“My experience was really fun,” student Tabitha Golt said. “I didn’t think I’d get to do
Police personnel are pictured in downtown Berlin making their way to the Berlin Fire House.
anything like this in my entire life.”
Along with participating in the torch relay, students were able to explore the state capital, which some had never visited. Golt said Matthew Record, the school’s assistant principal, taught them a lot about the history of the area.
“I had fun learning about it,” she said.
After they each had the opportunity to carry the torch the students signed a soccer ball that will be given to one of the winning athletes at the Special Olympics World Games. Teacher Katie Brown said the trip provided the students with the chance to take part in a unique event.
“We thought it’d be an amazing opportunity for the kids,” she said. “It was something they wouldn’t get to do normally.”
A week after the visit to Annapolis, the students were still excited about the experience. Ashlyn Colson said she enjoyed the excitement and camaraderie of the event.
“When we were running with the torch it was really awesome,” she said. “It felt like everybody was supporting each other. We were there as a team.”
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