Contact: Jenni Brockman
Telephone: 804-443-3357 (w); 804-443-2703 (h)
Fax: 804-443-6781
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
St. Margaret's Helps With Special Olympics at Wintergreen
On Sunday, January 10th, ten St. Margaret's students, accompanied by two faculty sponsors, went to represent St. Margaret's School at the 1999 Winter Special Olympics held at Wintergreen Ski Resort. Although the girls managed to squeeze in a few ski runs on Sunday and Monday evenings, their objective was to serve as Special Olympics volunteers, helping to bring success to this year's event.
"The girls each contribute 12 - 15 hours of service over the two-day period," notes faculty sponsor Susan Stephenson. Group responsibilities included generating enthusiasm, providing support, and ensuring that all participants involved had a safe, and enjoyable experience. The underlying theme of all volunteer efforts is to provide a healthy interaction between persons with mental retardation, as competitors, and non-handicapped individuals, as a support network, in a forum that exemplifies togetherness-"team."
The girls who participated in this year's event (in alphabetical order) are:
Carol Combs, Kate Deily, Lauren Eggleston, Katie Farmer, Kathleen McDermott, Sarah Muller, Lesley Newman, Carolyn Stephenson, Alison Wasserman, and Carver Weakley.
The Special Olympics sponsors year-round sports and athletic competitions for children and adults with mental retardation. The Special Olympics' mission is "to help bring all persons with mental retardation into the larger society under conditions whereby they are accepted, respected, and given the chance to become useful and productive citizens." Special Olympics athletes train rigorously throughout the year to compete in sports competitions modeled after the Olympic Games. Organized events are held annually at each level of competition.
St. Margaret's (SMS),one of two Virginia high schools invited to participate, is in its fifth year of involvement. Math teacher and faculty sponsor, Susan Stephenson, first heard about Special Olympics through a friend a number of years ago. "It just sounded like such a rewarding opportunity, such a genuine experience that I told my friend that I just wish I had time to go and volunteer and be a part of the event," said Stephenson. Stephenson allowed the conversation to serve as her impetus to find the time; within days, Stephenson broached the idea of sponsoring a group of student volunteers to SMS Headmistress Margaret Broad. Headmistress Broad fully supported the idea and SMS has sent volunteers to the Special Olympics every year since.
Stephenson and co-sponsor, ViAnn Farmer, acknowledge the support provided by the school and its friends which makes possible the annual Special Olympics trip. SMS Board Chair Sarah Belle Parrott, lends use of her Wintergreen home, to provide lodging for the group. Headmistress Broad funds food and transportation expenses for the group.
"Sue [Stephenson] and ViAnn's [Farmer] ability to provide the energy required to escort a group of 10 girls to Wintergreen is what makes an event like this come to fruition," says Headmistress Broad. "Without the kindness and faithful support of Headmistress Broad, the event simply would not be possible. I would like, especially, to thank her publicly," replied Mrs. Stephenson.
SMS senior Carver Weakley, in her third year as a Special Olympics volunteer, summed up her experience by saying, "Each year I meet new people and ski with different athletes, but each year I have the same feeling when it's over. I feel as if I have accomplished something great. I know I have helped at least one person-if not an athlete, then myself."
SMS faculty sponsor ViAnn Farmer (pictured l.) and Special Olympics participant Jonathan (r.), of Richmond, display their winning smiles at this year's Winter Special Olympics held at Wintergreen, January 11 -12.