Two schools unite for soccer skills and fun
The athletes, peer coaches and student assistant coaches received medals of recognition for a successful season at the award ceremony held at Timber Trail Elementary.
Soccer players called the Red Shirt Rookies (RSR) showcased their skills, passing, weaving and shooting to family members at the year-end soccer celebration and award ceremony held last month at Timber Trail Elementary (TTE).
This year was exceptional because for the first time, TTE and Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) students played together making this year’s RSR soccer season the largest yet. With 16 TTE peer coaches, four TTE student assistant coaches, eight TTE athletes, and four BRE athletes, there was also room for one athlete’s little sister whose excitement was a highlight of the season.
Tyler Sanford said, “The best part of being a peer coach is that it always brings me joy and fun, no matter what my mood.”
RSR is an extension of Special Olympics Project UNIFY, a strategy for engaging schools to use sports programs and the educational tools of the Special Olympics to create a place of acceptance, respect and human dignity for all students, with and without intellectual disabilities.
The RSR program runs throughout the school year, taking short breaks in between seasons, and is led by TTE Significant Support Needs teacher Jenn DiCapo, first grade teacher Julie Schade and fifth-grade teachers Brooke Wolf and Laura Danford. The four work closely together to ensure student safety while improving skills and having fun. “The adult coaches and I love this program, and while it may be chaotic at times, it is the best part of our week,” said Jenn.
Jenn worked closely with the Douglas County School District transportation department to allow the BRE students to ride the bus for the short stint over to TTE. Jenn and her team helped the student athletes off the bus to start practice promptly at 3:30 p.m.
“Jenn has put together a great program with the athletes and coaches. It provides athletes the opportunity to be part of a great team,” said parents Amy and Sean Creeden.
Jenn said she is grateful for the opportunity to continue the program with her students and looks forward to sharing the experience with her son once he is a little older.
“All kids deserve to have an opportunity to be fully included, celebrated and cherished. I find myself incredibly blessed to lead this amazing program,” concluded Jenn, who has been volunteering with the Special Olympics on and off for the last 35 years.
Peer coach Beckett Shotnick with Red Shirt Rookie athlete Grace Creeden having a little fun in between skills demonstrations.
Article and photos by Julie Matuszewski
