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HERO'S WELCOME FOR SPECIAL OLYMPIAN
Wednesday, February 25th, 2009 -- 2:21 pm
Posted by Riley Hebert-News Director
 Granton students and staff packed the fieldhouse this morning to welcome an Olympian to town.
It wasn't Michael Phelps… it was Granton’s own Mike Tyler.
Tyler recently competed in the Special Olympics World Games in Boise, Idaho. He took home two fourth place and one second place finish in snowshoeing.
After receiving a Fire Department escort around town, Tyler ran into the fieldhouse to standing ovation. He ran around the fieldhouse, giving students and staff high fives.
The assembly was organized by the Granton FFA.
"Mike Tyler represented Granton, Wisconsin and the United States of America with great dignity," said FFA President Hannah Hasz, "And, we want to say 'thanks.'"
"We are so proud of his accomplishments."
Dean Glaze, a Special Education teacher at Neillsville, where Tyler goes to school, also addressed the crowd.
"We tried Mike on skis, it didn't work so good," Glaze said, "As soon as we put him on a pair of snowshoes, he loved it. For the past nine years, Mike has worked really, really hard at snowshoeing."
"Athletes like Mike are incredibly motivated. He's hardworking, but he loves people unconditionally. It doesn't matter what kind of tennis shoes you're wearing, or what kind of shirt you have on," Glaze said, "I am so proud of what he accomplished at the World Games. I'm thankful not only to be Mike's teacher and Special Olympics coach, but also to be Mike's friend."
The highlight of the morning was a medal ceremony where Tyler was given his medals. He stood on a podium in front of a huge American Flag as the Granton High School band played the Star Spangled Banner.
The students got to shake Mike’s hand, check out his medals and equipment and enjoy red, white and blue cupcakes and Kool-Aid, and then went back to class.
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