SMS Students Volunteer at Special Olympics

Contact: Renee Russell
Phone: 804-443-3357
Fax: 804-443-6781
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Tappahannock (January 25, 2007)

Ten St. Margaret’s National Honor Society members served as volunteer workers at the Special Olympics Virginia Alpine Skiing Championships at Wintergreen Resort on January 22-23. In their ongoing commitment to community service, 2007 marks the twelfth year that SMS students have assisted with this event.

“Volunteering in their community is truly a priority for our students,” said ViAnn Farmer, the trip organizer and Director of Studies at St. Margaret’s. “In doing so, they learn valuable lessons about themselves and become more thoughtful and responsible citizens.”

One of only two schools asked to participate in the event, St. Margaret’s students were presented with an award in recognition of their service. SMS senior Ligon Brooks, daughter of Jeff and Sara Brooks of Millers Tavern, spoke at the closing ceremonies about volunteerism and the long legacy of SMS students who have supported the event with their time.

“The aspect of the volunteering at the Special Olympics that strikes me most is the responsibility you must take upon yourself,” Brooks said. “This experience makes you perceive people with disabilities differently, but that is no surprise. The surprise is that I can be responsible for someone else.”

 




SMS honors students SMS honors students Ligon Brooks, Michelle Burch,
Katherine Burnett, Chelsea Jacobs, Su Jin Jeon,
Hailey Jung, Saori Kaneko, Hannah Kessler,
Da Hae Lee, and Aubrey Sozer accompanied by
Mrs. Farmer and Mrs. Haney at the Special
Olympics Virginia Alpine Skiing Championships.

Other students agreed. “I was astonished by the experience,” said junior Katherine Burnett. “Despite their disabilities, these athletes traveled from all over the state in horrible conditions to participate in this event. It made me reconsider my priorities and think about my own life in different terms.”

“People with disabilities are no different from the rest of us,” Burnett continued. “They listen to the same music, watch the same movies, and live in the same world. They are part of our future, and we should embrace them as such.”

Brooks and Burnett were joined by day students Michelle Burch ’07 of Burgess and Chelsea Jacobs ’07 of Dunnsville. Boarders Su Jin Jeon ’07, Hailey Jung ’08, Saori Kaneko ’07, Hannah Kessler ’08, Da Hae Lee ’07, and Aubrey Sozer ’07 also volunteered their time.

More than 100 athletes with mental disabilities came to Wintergreen to participate in the games. Each student contributed 10 to 15 hours of service by accompanying participants to their events, cheering them on, and generally working to promote a healthy atmosphere between competitors, event organizers, and supporters.