Willow School students John Donovan, Moriah Nelson, RaAsim Rhymes are taking their gold medal wins from regional Special Olympics competition and moving up to state games June 20, 21 and 22.

John won a gold in the tennis ball throw, and Moriah and RaAsim won gold in the 50-meter run. 

Teacher Kendra Duncan said it is only the second time students advanced to state in the nine years that Willow students have been participating in the competition. A student must have won a gold at regionals and be 8 years old by the time of the games. Willow students have won medals at games over the years, but not met the age requirement.

At the regional meet in Joliet in April, Willow was also represented by athletes Logan McKeon, Willie “Tre” Sanders, Harper Simpson, Grace Salisberry, Kainoa Watson and Lionel Craddock.

Duncan said the past four years Willow School second graders have served as peer partners who train with the Special Olympians. Peer partners are Miles Elmore, Isabella Donoso, Finnian Bush-Emmart, Charlotte Robinson-Firganek, Victoria Garcia, Billy Ireland, Justice Jackson, Vincent Johns, Chase Johns, William Opiola, Faith Perkins, Lieve Roundtree, Lucy Williams, Lila Vanderweit.

Students are coached by Duncan, and Shannon Cotter, Colleen Spain, Katie Schultz, Kaila McLaurin, Maddie Butzbach. Duncan and Cotter will be at the state games in Bloomington-Normal with the students.