By Chris Rosenblum
State College Area School District
The athletes hadn’t left for the annual Special Olympics Centre County Geri Ryan Track Meet and already they were champions.
On the morning of April 19, State College Area High School continued a school tradition with a festive send-off for its contingent for the meet that draws competitors from across the county. Students two and three deep lined the hallway and lobby leading to the front door, cheering and applauding, as the athletes accepted high fives on their way to buses.
Outside, the procession made its way past marching band musicians, cheerleaders and baton-twirling majorettes, who ignored the chilly rain to honor their classmates.
“It’s all about the inclusive nature of State High,” said special education teacher Jacob Reeder, an alumnus. “We celebrate every success and every opportunity for each student, and I think it’s really cool to include everyone in the State College community.”
Reeder said State High doesn’t limit striving for inclusivity with its special needs students to just the parade or other individual events.
“It’s celebrated everyday, and we just do something big for their big day,” he said. “Just like any football Friday, this is their big day of the year.”
Assistant Director of Special Education Heather Pringle said the parade “promotes awareness for everybody” while making the athletes “feel fully included.”
“All their peers are supporting them,” she said. “When you have the (interscholastic) student-athletes involved, I think that’s pretty incredible.”
Video by Nabil Mark/SCASD
Members of the football, boys’ volleyball, girls’ soccer and baseball teams could be seen in the crowd, cheering along in their team sweatshirts and jackets.
“Many of the students who participate in Special Olympics might look at those student-athletes as mentors, because they play at the next level,” Pringle said, noting the Special Olympians revel in the spotlight.
“You can just tell by the energy level,” she said. “I was in this morning helping the students get ready, and it’s something they look forward to. It’s like the night before Christmas. It’s a big show for them.”
The outpouring of support, especially from other athletes, impressed Assistant Athletic Director Loren Crispell, who staked out a prime viewing spot to record the parade.
“It makes us so proud to see the embodiment of celebrating shared success, because this truly is celebrating shared success, enjoying the success of everybody in the building, supporting these great athletes’ efforts, their character, their drive, their perseverance,” he said. “It’s a pretty special scene.”
