Chris Cannon posted on April 29, 2011 17:32
Friday, April 29, 2011
GRCVB Contact:
Chris Cannon, Director of Communication
706.252.6615 cell
chris@romegeorgia.org
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Darlington School pre-k visits with athletes
ROME, GA. – The Darlington School pre-k class taught by Beth Smith had the opportunity to visit with Clocktower Classic handcycling athletes during a lunch at Ridge Ferry Park provided by the class.
The class prepared a picnic lunch of homemade chicken salad, pimento cheese and broccoli salad for the 40 athletes participating in the race series. The class also baked and decorated a cake to resemble Rome's Clocktower.
To compliment meeting the athletes, Smith took her class to the platform of the Handicap Accessible Treehouse to teach them about disabilities and the struggles that these individual's face.
"What a life lesson for these kids; from making lunch to riding a handcycle, today was true hands-on learning that my daughter will never forget, " said Mary Kate Fuller, parent of Mary Blair.
Before the meal, each student had the chance to ride a handcycle and receive autographs from each athlete.
"It was incredible," explained Mary Blair Fuller, a student, to her friends.
In addition to Friday's fieldtrip, the class also created the awards that the winning racers will receive. Each award is a ceramic plate hand-painted by each student. The awards will be distributed following the Downtown Criterium on Saturday, April 29 at 6pm.
"Beth Smith and her class have worked so hard to prepare and get ready for this race. She created a very special experience for our athletes who were beaming from ear to ear while with the kids," said Ann Hortman, race director.
The Clocktower Classic is a four day, four stage race for wheelchair users and athletes with lower-mobility impairments using special bikes powered by hand. The event brings over 40 athletes to Rome from around the world.
For more information, contact the Rome - Floyd Visitor Center at 706.295.5576 or 800.444.1834.
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Photos attached.
