On Saturday, Carbon County celebrated Delina Rodrigues and Mathew Anthony’s achievements with a ceremony in Palmerton Park.

Rodrigues won a gold in the world Special Olympics, while Anthony won at nationals.

The athletes were escorted into the park by flashing fire and ambulance vehicles. The park was filled with hundreds of supporters, including other Special Olympic participants who held congratulatory signs bearing their fellow athletes’ names.

The commemoration featured a long list of speakers. Including Palmerton Mayor Chris Olivia, who named March 23, 2019 “Matt Anthony and Delina Rodrigues Day,” Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon, Rep. Dan Meuser, Jennifer Tresp, training and unified sports director at Special Olympics Pennsylvania, and more.

“It is an incredible honor to be here - my hometown of Palmerton - with two hometown athletes who just showed the world and nation what we can do here in Palmerton” Heffley said.

“Thanks to these two great athletes, Palmerton is just a center of inspiration,” Meuser said.

See the Times News on Monday for stories on Rodrigues and Anthony.