Jenna Smith rides through Tyne Valley during her parade for winning three gold medals in tenpin bowling in Los Angeles at the Special Olympic World Games.
As Jenna, the three-time Special Olympics gold medalist, rode through Tyne Valley on the back of a Mustang during her parade, DJ Khaled’s “All I Do is Win” appropriately sounded through the speakers.
Her mother, Betty, said it was a wonderful experience to see crowds of people cheering and holding congratulatory signs for her daughter.
“She was quite overwhelmed. I would never have dreamt there would be that many people in attendance,” said the proud mother. “It’s fantastic to see people’s response to her, young and old.”
The parade ended at the Tyne Valley Firemen’s Club, where a large crowd gave its thunderous applause as Jenna walked into the room holding hands with an RCMP officer, following someone playing the bagpipes.
Betty said it was a festive event.
“Everyone was in good cheer, very proud, and glad to know Jenna. I think she maybe had stars in her eyes.”
There, members of the Prince County Special Olympics, Egmont MP Gail Shea, and others gave speeches telling Jenna how proud they are of her and all her accomplishments.
“There were people there we didn’t know, but, in some way, have been touched by Special Olympics,” added Betty.
She and her husband were elated that their daughter was chosen to represent Canada at the recent 2015 Special Olympic World Games in Los Angeles, where she took home three gold medals in tenpin bowling.
Just being Jenna is why the mother is so proud of her daughter.
“Her spirit and her love for everyone is over the top.”
Jenna participated in team, doubles, and achieved a personal best of 199 in the singles division in tenpin bowling while at the World Games.
Mary McGuire is a friend of Jenna and her family.
“She was inspired by her grandparents. They took her bowling when she was little,” said McGuire.
She was happy people came out to show their support for Jenna, and said Tyne Valley has excellent community spirit.
McGuire is proud of Jenna for having reached such success in a sport she loves.
“It’s such a big accomplishment.”
