As Amanda Queen runs through the basketball starting lineup, she slaps her teammates’ hands. The crowd shouts her name, but Amanda can not hear them. not because the gym is noisy, but because she is deaf.

Amanda’s handicap does not hinder her from enjoying the sport she has loved all her life, though. Battling with her deafness, Amanda, a Marion High School student, has been a winner at the Special Olympics for two consecutive years.

Surrounded by the people who care most, her interpreter, Patty Batts, and her parents, Amanda remains in high spirits and is game to shoot some hoops. And being deaf has nothing to do with it.

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It doesn’t matter because I like to play basketball, she said. It’s my favorite sport.

Just seconds before, Amanda, was awarded a first-place medal in the shooting and dribbling events in Division 6 of the 30th annual Special Olympics in the Recreation Center Thursday.

Students from eight Southern Illinois counties with mental or physical disabilities showed off their skills in four events:shooting, passing, dribbling and an exhibition basketball game.

With the help of certified coaches from Carbondale East and Marion high schools, the 121 students were trained to do their best. The students were placed in 12 divisions based on their skill level.

Janice Yeager, Amanda’s coach, said the Special Olympics is all about having fun, and it is important for students to feel like they are normal people.

It’s a good program, and it’s fun, she said. We just have fun. It’s important that they feel the success of their accomplishment and have some self-esteem about themselves.

Kim Queen, Amanda’s mother, said Amanda has always maintained a high level of self-esteem.

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Cheering Amanda on as she steals the ball for a second time, Queen reaches for her camera to take a photo. Queen said all she sees is an average 17-year-old girl on the basketball court.

She’s a normal child, and her only thing is that she can’t hear the whistle, Queen said. I’m very proud of her.

Queen said because Amanda is deaf, she is unable to be involved in school activities. But the Special Olympics, allows Amanda to do what she enjoys and feel important at the same time.

She doesn’t get to participate in extra-curricular activities at school, she said. I think [the Special Olympics has] made her feel like part of something. This way these people can compete on their own level.

Volunteer Akiva Rainer said his heart goes out to helping young people. Putting in extra time to help those in need makes him feel special.

It feels good to me just to encourage them, he said. They’re no different from us. They’re individuals too, just special. That’s why we’re here.

Jo Gulley Ancell, public relations director for Special Olympics, said she also enjoys helping children.

Ancell said the children are great to be around. After working with them for four years, they always seem to brighten her day.

They are wonderful, Ancell said. I’ve enjoyed it. I think people with disabilities need to have the same opportunities as others to compete. I feel so proud of them.

Landing a finger-rolled shot off the backboard to win the game, 10-9, Tony Payne, a Marion High School student, jumps in excitement.

During the Special Olympics, Payne won a bronze medal in Division 11. He has enjoyed playing basketball ever since he was young.

My sister taught me how to play when I was a kid, Payne said. I’ve played with all my friends because I like basketball.

Payne said that he is one of the best players and has even beat Amanda a few times.

I’ve played her, he said. She’s kind of tough, but she’s only beat me a couple times.