Monroe-Woodbury High School came alive this weekend when young Special Olympians and volunteers from around the Hudson Valley gathered on the school’s athletic fields. The athletes came to compete in their first of two Time Trials leading up to the Hudson Valley Regional Spring Games to be held at USMA West Point on May 5. The volunteers, including several students from Storm King, were there to help and support them.
Eduardo Vallarta Pena ’18 escorting a few competitors to their next event
Although the events were open to all volunteers, Storm King students were specifically invited to make sure the Olympians had everything the needed during the trials, including plenty of motivation and cheers. Throughout the morning, they facilitated a number of different track and field events, assisted with tennis and softball, and escorted participants from registration tables to their events while keeping their paperwork in order. Our students also helped out by collecting thrown shot-puts and javelins from the field, keeping people off the track during races, getting the racers started, and more. On top of it all, the Storm King volunteers made sure to cheer the athletes on and be there at the finish line to congratulate them after each race. ESL Department Chair Cathy Hecht, who accompanied our students to the event, was very pleased with their sincere contributions: “Our students really engaged and cheered on the participants who all had wonderful smiles. They were engaging, polite and represented SKS with pride and humility,” explained Mrs. Hecht.
Senior Ichabod Ren taking a break from recording shot-put throws to pose for the camera