On May 12, five students represented FHS and four cheerleaders encouraged them in the Special Olympics. The Special Olympics provides year-round training and competition in Olympic-style events for adults and children with intellectual disabilities.
The mission of the Special Olympics is to give participants the opportunity to experience the emotions that come along with any sport: courage, joy, spirit and friendship.
This year’s host, Geneva College, welcomed 588 competitors to the event, which was established by Eunice Shriver in 1968 and brought to Pennsylvania in 1970.
This year’s Games included shot put, softball pitch, long jump, 50, 100 and 200 meter dashes and a wheelchair race. Participants compete in four age groups, divided from 8-year-olds through high school students.
“The Freedom Area School District only had high school participation this year, but the goal for next year is to have the elementary and middle school students participate as well,” Learning Support Teacher Cara Seymour said.
Sophomore Gino Gentilli won two silver and one gold medals, Junior JJ Wrhen got two silver and one gold, Sophomore Tyler Scimio took three gold, Senior Hunter Giles won two gold and a silver and Sophomore Brittany Glover won a silver medal and got a fourth and fifth place finish. Giles holds the record of the fastest hundred meter dash at 12.41 seconds and Scimio was awarded second fastest at 12.53 seconds.
“It feels great [to hold the record]! It was a fun event and nice that we were there for a good cause,” Scimio said.
This competition not only brings out the best in students, but encourages them to construct new friendships.
Freedom participants could be found cheering on other competitors wholeheartedly. Specifically, in the 200-meter dash, Freedom cheerleaders Junior Alex Lizzi, Freshman Kyrstin Mercier, Sophomore Madison Dosch and Sophomore Courtney LaValle ran with and cheered on a middle schooler from another district as she finished the race.
“It was evident that this young girl had a disability that affected her size and stamina, but the energy and support from our cheerleaders, her mom and the entire crowd made her larger than life during that event,” Seymour said.
It is moments like these that make the Special Olympics such an important thing. They bring out the best in people and help them to realize their own hidden talents and success.