By Sandi SaulsburY
The Banner

Special Olympics is a worldwide event and thousands of special needs athletes work hard to earn a spot in the competitions.

Jessica Clopp of Pollock, the 20-year-old daughter of Kirbyville Police Chief Jeff Clopp and his wife, Bethany competed last week July 19-21 at the Special Olympics competition in Lincoln, Nebraska.

More than 3,000 athletes from 48 states attended the national games. Clopp participated as a member of Team Texas. Sandi Patty, Gospel Music Hall of Famer, sang the National Anthem and Michael Sarver, Jasper native and a Top 10 American Idol contestant performed for the crowd. Andy Roddick, a top-ranked professional tennis player, also attended.

Clopp competed in the Ribbon Routine, Ball, Hoop and Rope competitions. She won a gold medal in both Ball and Ribbon routine, a silver medal in Hoop and a bronze medal in the Rope competition.

Clopp also won the gold medal for the Best All Around Athlete in the Gymnast category. This is a major accomplishment for anyone.

Competing for 10 years, Clopp represented Team Texas in Shanghi, China in 2007 and has competed in hundreds of statewide events.

She is currently traveling to Fort Worth to make a presentation to 1,000 special education administrators from across the State of Texas on today, Wednesday, July 28.