The Lee Elementary student body along with some classes from Page Elementary walked to the high school to fill the stands and support their classmates in their unified basketball game against Byron Center. Their colorful signs - supporting both TK and Byron Center - were lifted high above their heads as the cheers grew louder and louder. And every basket, no matter who made it, brought on an onslaught of even more cheers.
This is the first time all the Lee students have attended a Unified Basketball game and ASD teacher Vicky Damico said she couldn’t have been prouder. “I wanted Lee to be a part of today because the students in my class are a part of Lee Elementary and the TK Schools Community. We all cheer and encourage one another. The students in the Autism program are included and loved in every way by students and staff at Lee.”
Lee and Page students in the ASD classes were paired with student Linker classmates from each school. Together they ran up and down the court with the Linkers always close by to help as needed, give encouragement and offer congratulatory high-fives.
Damico said her students were very excited to have their peers filling the bleachers and cheering them on. “They truly fed off the energy from their peers and loved seeing all the signs with their names on them,” she said.
Hosting a Special Olympics event takes a lot of teamwork and cooperation between teachers, Linkers, and the community. “It is a great way to start getting TK schools and the community involved in Special Olympics from such a young age and know that they can continue to be involved all the way through high school.”
The smiles on the faces of the young students when they made a basket or dribbled or carried the ball up the court were endless. After every basket there was someone standing near them on the court celebrating with them, offering a hug and a smile or a high five.
“I know my students gained confidence from today. They know they are loved and included and that there is a place for everyone to be involved," said Damico.