The Pleasant Valley High School stadium rang with cheers and happy chatter. The high school band, under the direction of James DeVivo, played music to pump up the energy. Even gray skies couldn't put a damper on everyone's high spirits as 400 athletes prepared to compete in the 20th Special Olympics on Wednesday.

The four schools that participated were Pocono Mountain, Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg and Pleasant Valley.After Rick Agretto, event director of Northampton County Special Olympics, welcomed everyone, Pleasant Valley High School Special Olympians Rosie Bradley and Ania Janiec led all in the Pledge of Allegiance. The high school chorus, led by student chorus President Jessica-Ann Lewis sang the national anthem.Pleasant Valley High School Special Olympians Heather Cleere read the Special Olympics poem, Randy Cruz led all in the Special Olympics Oath, Adrian Batista and Brian Hummer walked the torch, and Dylan Haydt and Dakota Heeres lit the torch.Pleasant Valley School District Superintendent Carole Geary and Pleasant Valley High School Special Olympian Luis Vasquez declared the games to be open."Think sun, have a great day and have fun," directed Geary in her welcome speech.It's always a tossup of who enjoys this event more: the staff, family and friends, the special athletes, or their "buddies."The 600 buddies are Pleasant Valley High School students who volunteer to support and guide a special athlete through their assigned events, which are the wheelchair and assisted walk 100-meter dashes, 5-meter dash, 10-meter dash, 200/400 mile run, softball throw, turbo jav, shot put, unified relay races and standing long jump.Pleasant Valley High School ninth-graders Trevor Hoadley, Adam Jetty, Tyler Fish and Christian Benson volunteered to be buddies.Hoadley said he loved helping with this special experience."I wanted to be a part of it. I came here years ago to cheer on a classmate, and now I'm excited to be here as a volunteer," Hoadley said.Jetty said it felt good to be able to help other people."It's great just looking around and seeing all these happy kids."Fish thought it seemed like it would be a good idea to volunteer and said he wants to do it again next year.Benson was there not only as a buddy, but also as a cheerleader for a cousin who was participating in the day's events."Helping out like this is a good thing to do. And I enjoy working with kids," Benson said.Watching these Special Olympians, the words of the Special Olympics Oath is seen written on each of their faces: "Let me win ... No matter what sport, You always play to win. But if I cannot win ... You don't always come in first, But having fun and making new friends is all that should matter anyhow. Let me be brave in the attempt ... If you have a fall, Or score for the opponent's team, Don't give up. Instead, refresh yourself where you left off. Athletes, always remember these three simple phrases, 'Let me win. But if I cannot win, Let me be brave in the attempt.'"Everyone at the Special Olympics was a brave winner in every way that counts.