Memorable run
New sign, ramp unveiled to honour Special Olympian Sandra Smith
Sandra Smith’s face is one residents of Carbonear will soon know very well, with a new sign erected in her honour along Valley Road.
Smith, a resident of Carbonear, participated in the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria earlier this year. Smith came home with several gold and silver medals after her success in different snowshoe events during the games.
Tuesday, the Town of Carbonear unveiled a sign in honour of Smith and her accomplishments, located on Valley Road, just before the overpass.
In addition to this, the turn leading down from Columbus Drive has been named Sandra’s Run. Smith’s family and friends, as well as members of the TRICON Gentle Giants, joined residents of Carbonear as well as members of council to unveil the sign, which features Smith’s proud face, topped with words describing her achievements at the games.
“It feels really, really, good,” Smith told The Compass after the sign was unveiled. “I don’t really know what else to say. I’m just very proud, and very happy.”
Smith’s father, Wallace Smith, told The Compass how he felt after seeing Sandra’s sign.
“She used to call me, Facetime me, every night while she was down in Austria, telling me about what she did or what she saw that day. It’s a wonderful feeling, seeing her succeed,” he said. “We’re both very proud of her, me and her mother. Everyone is.”
The location of the sign came as a nod to Sandra’s frequent use of the track, located just a short way down Valley Road. Sandra explained to The Compass that it was where she would run and do a lot of training in preparation for the games.
During her three-week stay in Austria, Smith performed great, winning medals in the 400metre snowshoe race (silver), and the 200-metre race (gold). She won a second gold medal as a member of the 4x400-metre relay team.
Following the unveiling of the sign, residents were invited to gather at the Carbonear pool, where they were treated with tea and coffee, while Sandra was treated with another gift — a second street sign, identical to the one currently placed on the corner of Sandra’s Run, for her to keep at home.
“When they were making the signs, I told them, make three, at least,” said Mayor George Butt Jr. “Make sure she has one to keep at home, in her bedroom.”
The surprise left Sandra in tears, though she made sure to remind everyone that they were in fact happy tears.
“We’re all very, very proud of her. That’s why we did this, that’s why we got this ramp named Sandra’s Run,” Butt explained before the sign was unveiled. “She’s accomplished a lot, and she deserves it.”