On June 1, 2018, nearly 3,000 athletes from 83 Michigan counties celebrated the organization's 50th anniversary during the closing ceremonies of Special Olympics Michigan at Kelly/Shorts Stadium, nearly 275 miles from the original games.

Athlete Richard Hess, who participated in the 1968 Special Olympics and served as grand marshal for the opening parade, acted as co-emcee of the games' closing ceremony, alongside WKYZ-TV reporter Ann Marie Laflamme.

Quinn Kirby
1968 athlete Richard Hess at the closing ceremony of the Summer Games' 50th anniversary.

Lieutenant Governor Brian Kelly was given the opportunity to speak during the closing ceremonies after being thanked for his work with the organization. The Republican candidate for governor of Michigan played a large part in remove “the R word” from state statutes.

“I try not to play favorites, but Special Olympics is my favorite,” Kelly said. “We’ve changed laws together and made our schools more inclusive together. Thank you for making the world a better place.”

Athletes Noah Curtain and Karol Evanglides were crowned king and queen of the 2018 Summer Games, and the other athletes clapped and cheered as the crowns were placed on their heads.

Lois Arnold addressed the athletes for the final time as the Special Olympics Michigan president and CEO, after more than 25 years of service. As she spoke, athletes chanted, "Thank you Lois."

“You deserve our respect, thank you for being an inspiration to us,” Arnold said. “Thank you all for enriching my life. I will always remember each and every one of you.”

Each year, one truly exceptional athlete is acknowledged as the Inspirational Athlete of the year. This year, the honor was awarded to Area 11 gymnast Jacqui Bunt, who has been an athlete for 15 years.

Quinn Kirby
Athlete Karol Evanglides being crowned queen of the 2018 State Summer Games.

“I love my team and all the athletes I’ve had the privilege to work with,” Bunt said while accepting the award. “This is a huge privilege and an honor. Thank you so much.”

Bunt began training at seven years old to be ready to start competing at the age of eight, which is the minimum age requirement to compete in the Special Olympics.

The 2018 games will be Bunt’s last year as an athlete, but she is returning as a gymnastics coach for Area 11 in the 2019 State Summer Games. She said the biggest difference for her will be the added responsibility.

“There’s a lot of responsibility,” Bunt said, laughing. “Honestly it’s not terribly different from what I do now, I do all of our warm-ups for the rhythmic team and modifying routines. Instead of just modifying I’ll be leading practices.”

As per Special Olympics Michigan tradition, the Rev It Up motorcycle procession by Michigan Moose Association, consisting of motorcycle riding enthusiasts across the state, announced they successfully raised $15,000. The group said they hope to raise $100,000 one day, hopefully during the organization's 10-year anniversary with Special Olympics Michigan in 2019.

Six-time racing champion Morgan Baird led the athletes in their traditional chant of “Rev It Up” to allow the members of the Michigan Moose Association to rev their motorcycles, officially closing the games as of 6 p.m. June 2.

With the thunderous sounds of motorcycles revving up and driving away in the background, another tradition took place. Volunteer members of police forces across the state came on stage to lead the crowd in a dance to Village People’s “YMCA.”

Jedi Mind Trip took the stage shortly after, opening their performance with a cover of “I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love Tonight” as athletes, their families and volunteers danced the night away.