May 19th, 2010

LAKE WALES – Some local students got a big boost of inspiration last week, when one of the world’s most accomplished Special Olympians visited Lake Wales and spoke at two schools.

During visits to Polk Avenue Elementary and Lake Wales High School, Loretta Claiborne shared her story with students and visitors, and posed for group photographs.

She was born into a large, poor, single-parent family. Partially blind, unable to walk or talk until the age of 4, Claiborne faced ridicule for her intellectual disability while growing up. The discovery of her own running ability and Special Olympics changed her life.

Today, Claiborne is one of the world’s most accomplished and celebrated Special Olympians. She has competed in 26 marathons, finishing with the fastest 25 women runners in the Pittsburgh Marathon and twice with the top 100 women runners in the Boston Marathon. She competed in the 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2005 and 2009 Special Olympics World Games achieving gold, silver and bronze medals in a variety of her favorite winter and summer sports.

During her visit May 12, she visited Polk Avenue Elementary in the morning, where she spoke to students from PAE and Hillcrest Elementary. In the afternoon, she traveled to Lake Wales High School, where the audience included both LWHS students and adults from Circle of Friends.

PHOTO #1: Guest speaker Loretta Claiborne (back left) with Marla Raulerson, LWHS teacher, and student Audrey Taylor.

PHOTO #2: Loretta Claiborne (center front) poses with a group of LWHS students and special guests from Circle of Friends.