Daily Chronicle in Illinois Spotlights Camelot Student Athletes in the Illinois State Winter Special Olympics
(DeKalb – February 9, 2012)
School recognizes Winter Special Olympians
By NICOLE WESKERNA � mailto:nweskerna@shawmedia.com
Jon Clark, 19, was nervous about participating in the Illinois State Winter Special Olympics last week.Aside from practicing almost every day at school since October, he prepared for the Winter Special Olympics held in Galena by running on a treadmill at home.
Clark’s hard work paid off when he won gold medals in two races and a silver medal in a relay.
Ten Camelot DeKalb students participated in area competitions last month in hopes of qualifying for the competition.
Though they practiced and competed in games without snow, students snowshoed their way through races such as the 100-meter and 400-meter dashes.
Camelot DeKalb, a therapeutic alternative school in DeKalb, recognized Wednesday 10 Special Olympians who were awarded medals. All Special Olympians wore their medals when the school gathered to watch a slide show of its classmates in competition.
Sarah Jackson, physical education teacher at Camelot DeKalb and Special Olympic director, said last week was the first time Camelot DeKalb students participated
in the Winter Special Olympics. The school has participated in the Summer Special Olympics for the past two years.
She said many people don’t realize competitors’ ages range from 8 to adult and they compete by ability.
“It’s a lifelong activity,” Jackson said. “It’s something you can do for the rest of your life.”
Aside from Clark, students Michael Johnson, Ryan Crownhart, Julianna Miller and Daniel Plowman participated in state competition. Michael Koca qualified to compete but didn’t attend.
Students Roy Saxsma, Ian Hopkins, Parker Whiteaker and Andrew Comstock participated in the area games in LaSalle-Peru.
Jackson hopes the Special Olympics programs expand and draw more participants in the future.
“It’s for them to have a healthy, active lifestyle,” she said. “Special Olympics is a positive experience, as well as an active experience.”
http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2012/02/09/school-recognizes-winter-special-olympians/ac4bdrq/
