By Sarah Chamberlin
Multicultural music and dance will combine with athletic excitement Thursday, June 5, at the opening ceremonies of Utah”s Special Olympics.
BYU students who come to help kick off the summer games will have the opportunity to enjoy free performances by groups such as the Utah Hispanic Dance Alliance.
“It”s a celebration of life,” said Jessica Salazar, founder and director of the folk dance group. “This is a very passionate people. You don”t need to travel to the countries they”re coming from when you have them here local.”
The Dance Alliance consists of approximately 30 members who perform traditional Hispanic dances throughout the world. They have toured Europe, participated in the 2002 Winter Olympics and were invited to perform at the World Folk Fest in Springville. About half the group will perform at the opening ceremonies where their time on stage will be limited.
“It”s just a little taste and a little tour of Latin America,” Salazar said. “We”re excited to be part of the community within in the valley.”
In keeping with the multicultural theme of the event, the evening will also feature Irish dancers, Polynesian dancers, as well as Living Legends performers. Moosebutter, a local a cappella group, will sing the national anthem.
“You can expect an original arrangement,” said Weston Wride, who described himself as “the tenor stylistic entertainment chairman” for Moosebutter. “It doesn”t stray so much from the original that you lose focus. We”re a comedy group, but this will not be a comedic arrangement.”
Although the opening ceremonies will conclude with a fireworks show, a highlight for some seems to come at the beginning.
“I”m excited for the parade of athletes,” said Kelly Clark, a pre-nursing major from Pleasant View who helped plan the event. “It”s the part where the athletes get acknowledged and recognized so it”s a lot of fun for them.”
The parade starts at the Smith Field House and will proceed to the Gail Miller Softball Field, where the ceremonies take place.
Special Olympics is a national program that serves more than one million children and adults with mental handicaps. Special Olympics Utah acts as one division of the organization and will hold their games June 5-7 at BYU. The program relies on volunteers to allow it to function.
“I think it”s a really good opportunity to serve other people and make yourself useful,” said Trevor Johnson, co-program director for the 2003 summer games and a senior from Golden, Colo. “I know that we did service activities growing up, and a lot of times you were like ”that was pointless” or ”did we really make a difference?” With Special Olympics, you make a difference. You can see that in the athlete”s faces and their appreciation.”
Kristen Ovald, co-program director with Johnson and a junior from Las Vegas majoring in biochemistry, worked extensively to plan the opening ceremonies last year. She said getting fireworks for the opening ceremonies proved difficult.
“It was a big ordeal,” Ovald said. “When they finally went off the night of opening ceremonies, I turned around and looked at the faces of one of the athletes and they had the biggest grin on their face. That right there made it all worth it.”
The 2003 opening ceremonies begin at 7 p.m. Thursday. Those who want to volunteer for Special Olympics should sign up earlier that day at Gail Miller softball field or send an email to .
“Come volunteer,” Ovald said. “We need your help.”
- Parade of Athletes
- National Anthem by Moosebutter
- Lighting of Torch
- Living Legends
- Irish Dancers
- Divine Heritage
- Polynesian dancers
- Utah Hispanic Dance Alliance
- Fireworks
