Lyle Holman Makes Special Olympics History

BY MELANIE BUCK –

Lyle Holman, a student at Polk County Developmental Center’s Adult Education and Wellness Center, has been chosen and will go down in history as the first-ever Special Olympics Arkansas athlete to emcee the annual statewide event. The event will be held in Searcy, Ark., on May 21-23.

Lyle, just 25 years old, from Wickes, explained his excitement when he was told that he was chosen for the event. “Miss Sherri got a call from Elizabeth Thompkins and Miss Sherri told me that I was going to be able to emcee it and I was really surprised. I was shocked.” He quoted his favorite movie when he said, “I am so excited that I could just spit.”

He has been with PCDC for more than 6 years, and not only attends school there, but also works with the recycling program and the resale store and sits on their Board of Directors, serving in his second term. A new venture for Lyle is sitting on the Special Olympics Arkansas Leadership Committee. “I wanted to help with Special Olympics and the first time I went we had to brainstorm. They asked us ‘what would we do with a room full of money?’ I love to give to charities so I said I would give it to Arkansas Children’s Foundation and the Luke Abbate 5^th Quarter Foundation to let teenagers be aware of the dangers of driving. “

“Some of the things that Lyle will get to announce are the opening ceremonies for the event, the areas on parade, the dignitaries, and the entertainment. He will be ‘the man’ at the opening day ceremonies,” explained Sherri Clement of PCDC. She also explained the selection process, “The state said they had seen him in the Leadership Committee meetings and were impressed by his articulation, attitude, willingness to help, and maturity, so they chose him.”

Being no stranger to fame, Eve Strothers of PCDC said that Lyle speaks for many of the radio commercials promoting PCDC.

Lyle also loves to compete and has for Special Olympics since high school, entering events such as the 100m dash, softball throw, and 4x100m relay. He was also part of PCDC’s Talimena 13.1 Run & Relay, running a mile for the team.

Lyle said he loves the Special Olympics because, “I’m able to see everybody I know and catch up on old times and good times with them and I get to meet new people.”

Lyle won’t spend his whole trip as announcer, though. He will announce the first day and get to compete for the next two.

Lyle’s plans for the future are to become an emergency medical technician and has already been certified in CPR, but, says he wants to continue on at PCDC because he likes it there. “All I can say is that I’ve came a long way and I’ve made it from what I’ve been struggling with since I was little bitty.”

About Author

Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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