Christiana Students Host Second-Annual Special Olympics Basketball Competition
digitalsportsnews
| November 19, 2014
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Students at Christiana High School were taught valuable life lessons that cannot be learned in the classroom. Christiana High School, located in Newark, Delaware, is filled with an awesome bunch of students. On November 13th, 2014, 100 student volunteers gathered in the school’s gymnasium, music audible from anywhere in the school, ready to greet almost 200 Special Olympics athletes and coaches from all over the District. The volunteer students, more than half of them varsity athletes, came from a multitude of clubs and organizations directed by Marketing and Business Teacher, Martin Tuohy. The high school is hosting its second-annual Special Olympics Christina School District Basketball Skills Competition. Feel-good tunes moved through the student’s souls getting them pumped up – so much so that a dance party broke out midcourt! “This event is so important to Christiana High School because it brings all of our students together to celebrate sportsmanship,” said Tuohy, chapter adviser of the DECA Club. “Our students look forward to working with the athletes who live in their community and go to school in the district. It is great to see them get excited about helping others.”
The Special Olympics athletes trained for almost two months at their respected schools to prepare for the competition, which challenged them in dribbling, passing and shooting. Out of the Gold, silver, and bronze, student Montik Johnson from Newark High School was awarded the silver medal. “I feel good!,” Johnson stated of his achievement. “Montik was the man,” football player Diondre Hamm said. “He was the most enthusiastic of them all. This was a great opportunity for him. It was a great opportunity for me.” Viking soccer player, Michael Lewis is volunteering at the even for the second year in a row and loves helping his fellow students. “It’s a great feeling helping these kids,” he said. “They are so happy. It makes you feel good being able to make sure they feel great about themselves today.” Athletic Director, Elizabeth Moodie commented on the event as well stating, “Team sports bring people together, and today’s event did just that … and a lot more. It was nice for our student-athletes to see that Special Olympics athletes, just like them, are motivated and love to play their sports.”