Photos of the event will be posted later today in the Special Events gallery and may be accessed by clicking on the following link: http://photos.suburbanonesports.com/
TOWAMENCIN – Brandon Godshall was having the time of his life.“This guy is like a brother to me,” he said, draping his arm around the neck of his buddy, North Penn senior Justin Bathurst.
Godshall was happily waiting his turn for the softball throw at Thursday’s Special Olympics at North Penn High School, and while he enjoyed the competition, he enjoyed the camaraderie even more.
“I’m friends with all these guys,” he said. “Everyone in this school is like a brother.”
And on a picture-perfect spring day, Godshall and 386 special athletes from North Penn and surrounding school districts converged for a day of friendly competition and fun.
“We start preparing in September, and to see it all come together and see the athletes competing and the joy on their faces because they’re doing something a lot of people don’t expect them to do – it’s a special day,” said Kathie Kerper, North Penn’s Special Olympics Coordinator. “I love seeing the interaction between the high school workers and the athletes.”The event is held in partnership with North Penn’s National Honor Society, and so enthusiastic is the response that there were actually more volunteers than participants.
“I love it,” said North Penn senior Lynn Beatty, who is president of the NHS. “You appreciate how special they feel when people are cheering them on. You can see it on their faces.
“Everyone is a winner, everyone cheers everyone on, and everyone loves it. It’s priceless.”
The day began with opening ceremonies that included athletes J.P. Carney and Beth Ann Scullion carrying the torch around the track, along with Assistant Principal Doug Povilaitis.
“Beth Ann had never run in a race before, and her parents were thrilled,” Kerper said. “It’s the little steps that make it more like a normal experience – ‘Look at me. I work just as hard as you. I might not become a Michael Phelps, but I am doing what I do to the best of my ability.’”Ask the participants what they enjoy most, and their answers are as varied as their personalities.
“No school,” said Eric Suzuki with a smile.
“Hanging out with friends,” Brandon Godshall said.
“Playing in my events and hanging out with all my friends,” said Nick Kempf.
“I enjoy being an athlete,” said Tom Lawrence, president of the Special Olympics.
And then glancing toward his buddy, sophomore Julianne Depue, Lawrence added, “I like being with her. She’s a great friend to have.”
And what do the student volunteers enjoy most?
“Just seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces and knowing you can make a positive impact,” said senior Dave Mucchetti, a member of North Penn’s football team.
“Just supporting them and giving them support in every event,” said Bathurst, who will be playing football at the collegiate level.
The day, it seems, took on special meaning to the athletes serving as volunteers.
“As an athlete, you know how good it feels when you accomplish something you want to accomplish, and to be able to see the special needs kids have that same feeling we feel – I just think it’s remarkable,” said senior Maddie Dionne, who is a member of the soccer team. “It gives them the chance to do what so many of us spend so much of our time doing.
“A lot of us take our sports for granted, and it’s awesome they have the same chances that we do. You can just see – they feel so good. Everyone cheers, they’re parents are here, and they so proud, and it makes you feel so good about being part of it.
“We complain about practice and running, and they really show how much fun it is. It’s just clear how happy they are.”
“It makes you want to be happy,” added senior Jill Altomare, a member of the field hockey team. “In field hockey when we’re running 10 million miles around the track, you’re complaining, but they would love to be able to do that. This really gives them the chance, and they love it.
“It makes me feel so good. My whole life I have been doing Special Olympics. We have to do community service, and this is my favorite.”
On the track in Crawford Stadium, senior Brittany Dudas, a member of the track team, was busy running the heats in the 25 and 50-yard dashes.
“It’s a great opportunity for high school students to work with Special Olympics athletes hands-on and be able to help organize and run the event,” she said. “It’s fun for us to take part in leading the event.
“I know the athletes plan for this for a long time, and they come out here with a big smile and just want to do their best. They just have great spirits.”
On this day, everyone’s spirits were running high, and everyone was a winner.
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