Sandy Hearn, far right, laughs with Ladell Butler as he and fellow Area 10 Special Olympics teammates Stewart Stevens, from left, and Tyree Woodland prepare to head to Lincoln, Neb., for the 2010 Special Olympics National Games. The group of eight will compete along with more than 3,000 other Special Olympians from across the United States. Ladell is the son of Carolyn Butler; Stevens is the son of Alonzo and Betty Stevens; and Tyree is the son of Annie Woodland. Other athletes going to the national games are Beth Ann Sullender, daughter of Pattie Sullender; Misty Grantham, daughter of Randy and Pauline Vessel; Ashley Lewis, daughter of Falisa Lewis; Tracey Herndell, daughter of Vera Stewart; and Robert Jackson, son of Mary Jackson. The games begin on Sunday and end on Friday.