LAWRENCEVILLE – During opening ceremonies, scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m., Fri., June 11, athlete Christina Vassar, 19, of Cape May will ignite the cauldron for the official torch lighting to signify the start of Special Olympics New Jersey 2010 Summer Games.
The opening ceremony will be held at Lions Stadium at The College of New Jersey in Ewing. In addition to the torch lighting, the ceremony will also include a parade of athletes, the arrival of the final leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, fireworks, and a performance by The B Street Band.
The lighting event and start of the games will be the culmination of a long day that starts in Cape May Point State Park at 8 a.m. when the first contingent of Cape May County law enforcement officers begin their mile relays carrying the Special Olympics Torch.
On Run No. 9, the Cape May County leg, there will be approximately 50 officers taking part in the relay.
This is the 19th year for the Cape May County run, which was started by retired Middle Township Police Chief Joe Evangelista. The 25-mile run will wind through many towns in the county.
The Middle Township Police, Honor Guard, and a designated runner, this year Patrolman Josh Bryan, of Middle Township Police, will attend the opening ceremonies.
Vassar has participated in Special Olympics for 10 years in an array of events including track and field, basketball and cycling.
Vassar’s performance in Track at last year’s summer games qualified her to compete at the national level on Team New Jersey. The team, comprised of 52 athlete and 15 coaches, will head to Nebraska on July 18, for the 2010 Special Olympics National Games to compete in aquatics, basketball, bowling, bocce, flag football, golf, track & field and soccer.
Vassar’s decade of involvement in Special Olympics has boosted her confidence. “Special Olympics showed me that I can accomplish anything that I want to if I fight for it,” she said.
Please visit www.sonj.org, for more information on Special Olympics New Jersey including the 2010 Summer Games full competition schedule, and the list of athletes and coaches to represent the state in the National Games.
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