ELMIRA, N.Y. — Prior to the academic year ending at Elmira College, several Soaring Eagle student-athletes volunteered their time and efforts at the Super Regional Track & Field Special Olympics event held on Saturday, May 6, in Geneseo, New York. Over 30 EC student-athletes packed inside a college bus to spend the day ensuring the 2017 installment of the event ran smoothly and was an enjoyable environment for the Special Olympians.

Helping organize Elmira’s efforts was Student-Athlete Advisory Board (SAAB) Secretary & Treasurer Megan Fitzgerald ’18, who after meeting Special Olympic representative Josh Dority at the Empire 8 Conference Summit back in late January of this year decided to make EC’s involvement a priority.

“Volunteering for the Special Olympics is such a rewarding and eye-opening experience,” said Fitzgerald. “Those who participate in the Special Olympics are true athletes who are dedicated to their sport just as much as any other athlete.”

Elmira’s involvement with the event began with the opening ceremony in which EC volunteers split up and marched with the Special Olympians. Fitzgerald, along with men’s ice hockey captain Brent Lafayette ’19, served as torch runners with one of the competing athletes from Keshequa Central School. Afterword, EC student-athletes helped serve as heat judges, markers, measurers, retrievers, and score keepers for the softball throw, one of many events that took place throughout the day.

“Volunteering for the Special Olympics helps dispel any preexisting stereotypes,” Fitzgerald stated. “I hoped for our volunteers to realize that what we experience as athletes is no different from what the Special Olympic athletes experience; anxiety before they compete, disappointment when they don’t win, and the pride of successes. The amount of passion and joy these athletes shared, not only for the sport they were competing in, but more importantly for one another, was incredibly heartwarming. I not only wanted our volunteers to learn to appreciate the advantages that we have been given in this life, but also to realize that there is always joy and love for the game. Sometimes, we just need a little help remembering it.”

To learn more please visit: http://athletics.elmira.edu/news/2017/5/26/general-elmira-college-student-athletes-volunteer-at-special-olympics.aspx?path=general

East Islip High School’s varsity softball team volunteered for the annual Special Olympics event held at Bellport High School on May 7. Each team member partnered with an athlete and took him or her to their events throughout the day.
“It was great to have Eric again,” said junior Katie Burk. “We missed him last year and I’m happy we had the chance to reunite with him.”
Sophomore Allison Dell’Orto bonded with her athlete and was excited when she took first place in both of her events.
“It was great seeing her compete and get that gold medal, I was so proud of her,” Dell’Orto said.

IMG_1428, IMG_1431, IMG_1433: East Islip High School’s varsity softball team volunteered for the annual Special Olympics event held at Bellport High School on May 7.

Photos courtesy of the East Islip School District

Photo Caption: In doing their part to give back to the community, the Hampton Bays High School Leo Club donated more than $600 to the Retreat of East Hampton on May 22. The students raised the money as part of a “Sweatin’ for Cash” fundraiser in which they garnered sponsors to spin at MARVILfit in Hampton Bays.

Photo courtesy of the Hampton Bays School District

Photo Caption: The Connetquot Central School District recently celebrated its first Relay for Life event, bringing together district staff, students and community members to rally together and raise funds for cancer research. The night’s events consisted of speeches of encouragement and inspiration from Connetquot High School psychologist and event coordinator Courtney Huguenin, current students Marina Duszak and Kevin Ferrara, as well as an emotional survivor lap recognizing those who have beaten their disease and a luminary ceremony to honor those still fighting and those no longer with us today. Throughout the months of highly successful fundraising and the generosity of the school community, the district was able to collect $52,017 for the American Cancer Society.

Photo courtesy of Connetquot Central School District

Briarcliff High School’s softball team has dedicated two games during the spring season to raising awareness about pediatric cancer.
The team partnered with non-profit Go4theGoal, an organization dedicated to helping kids with cancer achieve their goals.
During games versus neighboring schools Westlake and Pleasantville, both teams donned gold shoelaces in honor of the cause. Proceeds from the shoelace costs were donated to Go4theGoal.

Photo Captions: Briarcliff High School’s softball team dedicated two games during its regular season to raising awareness about pediatric cancer by partnering with non-profit organization Go4theGoal.

Photos courtesy of the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District