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Dateline
Fort Worth & Arlington..Friday, December 21, 2001
| Local News
Only wanted to know what it felt like to be one of the chosen
few to carry the Olympic Torch. Sherri Steward a teacher
at GCISD and Stephanie Williams a student at GCISD wrote the
following articles describing their experience. |
| My
segment of the Olympic Torch Relay was about one mile from the
Ballpark in Arlington on Abrams Street. At first, I was
disappointed that I couldn't run at the Ballpark, where there
were hundreds of cheering fans.
As it turned
out, I was so happy to get to run my segment. The Fireman and
Policeman all turned out with their American flags and I was
lucky enough to get to run through a large group of school
children and preschool children. I was so pumped up by the
time the Flame got to me, I was literally jumping up and down.
I wanted to run very slowly, so I could savor the moment, but I
was so excited, I found myself having to slow down. There
were lots of Hispanic children, and it was so great to hear
them, " Andale', Andale', Senorita! (I'm I figured I wasn't
close enough for them to tell that I am definitely a 'senora!').
All the workers
at the auto garages, and even the tattoo parlor, came out to
chant "USA..USA!" As soon as I finished, I
spotted about 20-30 little
preschoolers, faces pressed up against the glass window, jumping
up and
down. I took my torch over and the teacher opened the door
so all the
children could touch the Torch. They were just squealing with
delight,
jumping all over my feet. I have a couple of pictures of
this. Some
Hispanic teens came up and asked me to autograph their flags.
All said
and done, it was a great moment that made me proud to be a
Grapevine
Mustang, proud to be a teacher, but most of all, proud to be an
American.
by
Sherri Steward |
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Stephanie running
with the Olympic Torch in Fort Worth
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Being
able to carry the Olympic torch was a great honor. I'm just a
regular person, I haven't had any big accomplishments or done
anything
special. As I sat on the bus we all shared why we were
nominated.
Everyone had stories of their accomplishments, victories, and
failures that they have overcome. As I listened I asked myself,
"Why am I here? I'm only thirteen, I
haven't changed anyone's life, I don't have a story worth
telling." And then I figured out that I'm running for all
of my family and friends that have supported me throughout my
life and have encouraged me. |
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Stephanie being
escorted with the Torch
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They
are the people who don't always get recognized for the little
things they do that make a big difference.
As I was running I looked to my right to see my friends running
along side
me and cheering me on. That was the best feeling to see your
close friends and know that they'll always be there for me. |
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Friends (L to R)
Kami, Alisha, Maggie, Monica & Kevin waiting to
cheer Stephanie
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My
mom nominated me because she said that I always try to help
everybody
and if someone has a problem, I drop what I'm doing to try to
help them. She said that even though some people try to kill my
spirit I don't let them bring me down and I keep on trying.
Giving up is not something that I believe in.
I will
always treasure this great experience, and I will never forget
running with the torch!
by Stephanie
Williams |
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Stephanie and her family
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Stephanie and her
best friend Monica
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Stephanie meets one
of the other Olympic Torch carriers, David Finfrock, NBC Channel
5 Weatherman
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Stephanie allows
her brother Dave to hold the hot end of the Torch!
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