West sings national anthem for Special Olympics

RUSSELLVILLE — Russellville High School senior Elijah West sang the national anthem at this year’s Special Olympics, marking his second time to perform at the event.

“I was excited,” West said. “Everyone cheered for me.”

In addition to singing, he competed in three events — the 100-meter run, shot put and softball throw — and won first place in all three.

“He did so well singing last year they asked him to come back again,” said his mother, Tammy West Emerson. “He sang on the field in front of about a thousand people.”

Emerson said when Elijah started kindergarten, he wasn’t talking yet. She said he is on the autism spectrum and has always loved music and drawing.

She said her son began speaking and singing while he was a student at West Elementary under Carly Hellums.

“One day I got a call from the school,” she said. “I walked in and saw him on stage singing ‘We Are Family,’ and that was the first time I ever heard him talk or sing. I just cried. God has trusted me with such a sweet, singing child.”

West sings in the choir and the men’s chorus at First Baptist Church, College Avenue, in Russellville, under the direction of Ella West.

His pastor, B.J. Bonner, said Elijah learns songs quickly and enjoys sharing music with others.

“Any kind of song you give him, it won’t be long before he knows it,” Bonner said. “He’ll sing it like he’s been knowing it for years.”

“He has a lot of respect for me, and I appreciate that about him,” Bonner said. “He always makes a point to speak, give me a handshake or a hug, and show kindness wherever he goes.”

West said singing the national anthem “felt amazing.” He said he enjoys singing, as well as drawing anime and manga.

Emerson said her son listens to many kinds of music and often sings along in the car. One of his favorites is “Good Ol’ Boys,” the theme song from “The Dukes of Hazzard.”

“He’s so animated when he sings,” she said. “When he got to the part about the stars in the ‘Star-Spangled Banner,’ he threw his hands up in the air.” She said Elijah always puts his whole heart into each song.

This year’s Special Olympics took place at the Florence Sports Complex. West sang on the field and says he enjoyed the large crowd.

Beyond the singing came the sports, which he also enjoyed.

“Running, of course, and the softball throw,” he said when asked which events were his favorites. “Everything went good.”

Emerson said family members came to watch and cheer him on, including his mother, aunt, niece, sister and brother.

“It was just really special,” she said. “To see him sing again and this being his senior year and then to win all his events meant the world to us.”

At Russellville High School, West works with special education teacher Cortney Uptain Green and with Shawna Engelthaler.

“Elijah is extremely talented in the arts,” Green said. “He’s excellent at drawing. He can watch a video on YouTube and then draw it exactly, down to the smallest detail.”

“He loves to sing, and he’ll do it anytime you ask him to,” she said.

Green said West works each day in the school snack store, helping load, organize and sell items.

“Since he’s getting ready to graduate, he’s been working through transition planning and learning jobs he can take into the public workplace,” she said. “He’s really blossomed this year.” “He’s very social and loves to talk to people,” Green said. “He’s very well loved here at RHS.”

Green attended the event and said she cried when she heard him sing.

“I was so proud of him,” she said. “He did such a good job.”