Fredna Cross

Fredna Cross of Meridian, Mississippi, for going above and beyond with her work with the Special Olympics. In 1968, Cross was training teachers to work with intellectually challenged children when she learned that Mississippi was being asked to participate in the newly formed Special Olympics. Cross, who had a sports background, took 25 special athletes to that first statewide meet, where the only activities were track and field. That event has grown to host more than 8,500 Mississippi athletes and volunteers, and includes a variety of sports. This year, Cross will direct her 40th consecutive track and field event for special athletes, a record not likely to be matched.




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