U-46 board recognizes Special Olympics, cheerleading gold medalists

Elgin schools officials Monday night recognized five students for bringing home gold medals from the state Special Olympics and world cheerleading competitions.

Three of six U-46 BlueStars students placed first in the Illinois Special Olympics Summer Games held in June. The students qualified for the state competition by earning first place in the regional contest.

Natalie Gort, a fourth-grader at Nature Ridge Elementary School in Bartlett, and Laila Tran, a Streamwood High School senior, won gold in the 200-meter race; and Constantina "Tina" Hondros, a freshman at Bartlett High School, won in the 25-meter freestyle swim.

Larkin High School junior Jackson Miller won gold in the 50-meter backstroke swim at the Summer Games participating through the Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association.

"Tina has a constant smile, thoughtful disposition, and always, always demonstrates good sportsmanship," BlueStars Coach Lindsey Reynolds said. "Laila is a bright light and is constantly positive and lifting each person up, including her coaches. Miss Natalie is a great little competitor. She may be one of our younger athletes, but she has shown that her athleticism is right up there with the more experienced athletes."

Also, student Renee Grandstaff won gold as part of USA Cheer's U.S. National Special Olympics Unified Intermediate Team at the International Cheer Union World Championships in April in Orlando, Florida. Renee, a student in the district's transition programs serving students with special needs, is part of the Elite Stars team which trains in Hanover Park.

"We are incredibly proud of Renee for all of her hard work, determination, and confidence," teacher Danielle Williams said. "Renee is such an incredible student and an inspiration to many people around her."