Myron Leverette is always busy with Special Olympics, concerts, swimming and basketball, but, this weekend, he’ll be busy leading the Selma Christmas parade as this year’s grand marshal.

Leverette has participated in the Special Olympics field and track program for 18 years at the local, regional and state level and is a decorated athlete.

“We wanted to pick somebody we thought would represent Cahaba Center well and so Myron is the one who we thought would do an excellent job,” said Lafon Barlow, executive director at the Cahaba Center for Mental Health. “We are very excited. It’s awesome, I think it’s an honor.”

Sheryl Smedley, executive director at the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce, said Selma Mayor Darrio Melton talked to her about having someone in the special needs community represent Selma in the annual parade this year.

“I think it’s a true honor to have someone [in special needs] recognized,” Smedley said. “I’m very excited, I think it’s just great.”

Barlow said when she got the call from Smedley about having someone from the center to represent Selma in the parade, she knew it had to be Leverette.

“Myron is easy going, he’s loved by everyone, he’s friendly to everyone. He’s kind, he’s courteous,” Barlow said. “To me he exemplifies not just a good representative of Cahaba, but a good representative of a human being.”

Leverette said he is excited about the parade and is looking forward to waving and riding along seeing his friends.

“[I’m going to] have a good time,” Leverette said. “All my friends going to be there.”

Leverette’s brother, Michael Leverette, said he was thrilled to hear his brother is going to be the grand marshal.

“That was some surprising and great news I got this morning. I’m so happy and proud for him. I’ve been telling everybody I can tell,” Michael said. “We are so very proud of Myron and we are so excited for his experience in the parade. We want to thank the Cahaba Center for doing such a great job with Myron, they really do take good care of him.”

Michael said he believes his brother is a great person to represent the city, and he is proud of everything that he has accomplished.

“I think he’s a very good representation of the city of Selma. He’s always happy, he likes to laugh, he likes to make other people laugh, he’s overcome a lot of obstacles in his life and he’s stayed true to who he is,” Michael said. “He’s not only put himself in the position to make himself a better person, but I think he makes people around him better people.”

The Christmas parade will be held on Broad Street Saturday, Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. following the Christmas tree lighting at 9 a.m. in front of City Hall.