What started as a Girl Scout Gold Award Project ended as a life lesson for the Roanoke Rapids sixteen year old Abbey Acree.

Acree has been involved in sports her whole life and contributes it to the person she is today. For that reason Acree teamed up with the Roanoke Rapids Optimist Club and brought back the Challenger Tee Ball League for special needs children as part of her Girl Scout Gold Award Project to give others a chance have the experience.

The league was for Halifax and Northampton County special needs children who would otherwise not get to participate in a sport. According to Optimist member Carey Foster it had been 10 to 15 years since we had a challenger league. "It gives the kids a chance to get out and get involved and having a fun activity," added Foster. 

The games were played on Saturdays in Gaston at the Dwight Hall Park starting back in April and the season came to an end Sunday June 5th with the final game and party with award presentation for the 26 players.

Acree wanted to thank her league sponsors: Optimist Club of Roanoke Rapids, Weldon Steel, Acree's Electric, Deaton's Design & Fabrication, Marilyn Deaton, David M. Holt Trucking, Hockaday Funeral Home, Kapstone, All In One, Kathy Acree - Wilkie Real Estate, Acree Woodworking Designs, Lloyd's Decorating Center, Leslie Acree-Initial Outfitters, Randy Wrenn-RRspin.com Sports, Works of Tart Photography, Georgia Pacific-Emporia Plywood.

Acree also wanted to thank all the people who helped her and the volunteers: Alex Leard, Lauren Oliver, Lindsay Holt, Jordan Jean, Olivia Myrick, Addie Nixon, Elaine Gray Burgess, Raven Williams, Amy Fromal, Meagan Colston, Ayah Quasem, Laura Brown, Kelsey Cox, Kamryn Cox, Marilyn Deaton, Stephanie Williams, Colton Powell, Draper Mitchell, Madison Archer, Kristy Price, Matthew Price and Rachel Price.

When asked how she, Acree felt about the season, she stated, "I'd say that the league was a huge success with all the help from everyone. It was really heart warming to see how much fun everyone had while playing and especially at the party how excited they were to get the metals. I've always loved sports and to bring that love and enjoyment to people who haven't experienced it before is just such an amazing thing. There were many different ages and many different types of disabilities, but that didn't stop anyone from playing ball."

Sunday season ending photos:

{gallery}chalenger6516{gallery}