Special Olympian to Compete in Italy

Left-Right: CCSD Board Chair Randy Scamihorn, Pam Laffey, Shannon Laffey, DeWayne Laffey, Erin Laffey, and KMHS Principal Dr. Mark Trachtenbroit. Credit: Cobb County Schools

A Kennesaw Mountain High School student is preparing to leave for Italy to take part in multiple events at a gymnastics tournament in Italy.

Shannon Laffey, a student at the school’s Transition Academy, is heading to Motara, Italy over the weekend to compete in the vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise portions of the Down Syndrome World Gymnastics Championships. Shannon’s family will be joining her on the trip.

Kennesaw Mountain students, staff, and Cobb County School District officials gave Shannon and her family a hero’s adieu as she prepared to head overseas. Pom-pom wielding well-wishers, students holding up signs, and a cheering section lined the halls of the school, the district’s blog reports.

The Laffey family will fly to Milan via New York on Thursday, and Shannon’s first practice session will be held on Friday morning. Shannon will compete on Saturday, then do some sightseeing Sunday before flying home on Monday.