DECATUR - Mikayla Davies-Lowe had no idea why Hope Academy's assistant principal, Jenny Mullins, mysteriously beckoned her out of line Monday morning.

Then Mullins gave her a battery-operated version of the Olympic torch and told her she would be the one to carry it in Hope's version of the Olympics' opening ceremony at the school on Monday.

Hope is celebrating the Olympics along with the rest of the world and using the opportunity to teach students about other countries, sportsmanship and national pride. During the next two weeks, thanks to a grant written by literacy coach Cindy Reed, each grade will focus on a specific country. Signs in the hallways will keep track of each country's medal count, with the United States, of course, given the most prominence.

"Although the Olympics are being held in China, who are we rooting for?" Principal Cynthia Houston asked the assembled students Monday. Without hesitation, the answer came back: "U.S.A.! U.S.A.!"

Mikayla was chosen to be the torch bearer, thanks to a last-minute brainwave when Mullins saw her enter the gym Monday. They needed someone to carry it, and Mikayla's story is an inspiring one.

One morning last year, Mikayla woke up with pain in her legs and unable to walk. Her family took her to the hospital, and it took a variety of doctors more than several months before one finally figured out the problem. Mikayla has a form of spina bifida.

She spent much of last year in a wheelchair or using a walker at school, but she's so much better now that she not only carried the torch under her own power, she climbed the bleachers and stood at the very top, holding it aloft proudly, while her schoolmates applauded her.

"It's just a blessing because now I can walk again," Mikayla said. "They said most people with spina bifida cannot walk at all."

Reed wrote a grant for the Decatur Public Schools Foundation. The idea came from the fact that Hope, as a year-round school, is the only one in session during the Olympics. Rochelle Mooth, retired principal of Oak Grove School, will be a guest speaker. Mooth and her husband spent a year teaching in China. Reed also hopes a local diver who just missed making the Olympic team will speak to students as well.

Students will study their chosen country and, at Hope's closing ceremonies at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, will present the projects they've done to capture the spirit of each country's culture.

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