MARKSVILLE, LA – The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana and Paragon Casino Resort recently sponsored the 2022 Law Enforcement Torch Run for the 2022 Louisiana Special Olympics.
Members of the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office, Marksville Police Department, Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana Police Department, Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Louisiana State Police – Troop E (Alexandria) joined forces to escort local Special Olympics participants, Tyler Couvillion and Tara Bounds, on the Avoyelles Parish leg of their run to the 2022 Special Olympics competition. The runners and escorts enjoyed a brief rest with snacks and refreshments and were welcomed with cheers and applause from Paragon Casino Resort associates.
Tyler Couvillion, 16, is wrapping up his 10th grade year as an Avoyelles Parish virtual school student. Couvillion has been involved in Special Olympics for three years and earned a gold medal in bowling at the 2020 state tournament in Baton Rouge. Since then, Couvillion has earned a bronze medal for bowling at the regional event in Lafayette in December, placed second in the 25 meter dash, and first in the tennis ball throw in the Lafayette regional games in March. This has earned him two spots in the state games. Couvillion is also attending the state Special Olympics Games in Covington in Athletics (track and field).
Tara Bounds, 40, has been a Special Olympics athlete for 32 years. She has participated in area, state, U.S., and world games. Bounds has won over 200 medals and numerous ribbons, including 2005 Louisiana State Female Athlete of the year; 2006 USA game in Ames Iowa winning two gold and one silver; 2007 world game in Shanghai China winning bronze in the 50-meter run; and gold in softball 2018 USA games in Seattle, WA winning gold in the 100-meter speed walking softball throw and silver in the 50-meter speed walking.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run® is the largest public awareness vehicle and grass-roots fundraiser for Special Olympics. Known as “Guardians of the Flame,” law enforcement members and Special Olympics athletes carry the “Flame of Hope” into the opening ceremony of local competitions, and into Special Olympics state, provincial, national, regional and world games. Annually, almost 110,000 law enforcement members carry the “Flame of Hope,” symbolizing courage and celebration of diversity uniting communities around the globe.