Mercer student receives grant for Unified Track

Arpan Dixit
Herald Staff
sports@harrodsburgherald.com

Unified Sports allows students with disabilities to team up with athletes from around the area and compete on a varsity team. Mercer junior Ty Divine has taken the role of liaison for the Unified track program and couldn’t be more proud.

“The main reason why I volunteered was because of the great kids at Mercer County High School,” said Divine. “The special needs kids were all great kids and I began to see their athleticism in their gym classes and when a few of them came out last year to join the team.”

Divine, son of LeeAnn and Steve Divine, hails from Boyle County,  but has called Mercer County home since moving here during his 8th grade year. LeeAnn Divine, principal of Mercer Elementary, has supported her son during this process.

“My mom really helped take control of most of the costs and spendings,” said Divine, “but the grant we received from Justin Harville takes care of everything else.”

Harville is the Special Olympics Kentucky Director of Volunteers and Special Programs.

The grant received from Harville and Special Olympics will help cover travel expenses, jerseys, T-shirts and athletic fees for the kids participating.

Leftover money will be  given back to the Special Olympics program.

“Justin is a great guy and a big help with the start up,” said Divine. “He has been with us throughout the process and has traveled to us on many occasions to help out in any way possible.”

For full story, pick up a copy of this week’s Harrodsburg Herald.