‘Their moment to shine’

District 13 will send 15 student-athletes to the upcoming Empire State Games for the Physically Challenged at Mitchel Field.

This is the first time the district is participating in the event, a statewide competition for students with disabilities. Shoshana Bazini, a physical therapist in District 13 who has coached at the games in the past, suggested the idea to administrators who were receptive. Bazini will lead the athletes into competition next Friday.

“For a lot of the kids, this is the first time they’ve ever participated in a sporting event,” she said. “They’re excited. They’re going to represent the district and they’re really proud.”

Events that District 13 students will participate in include the 40- and 100-meter dashes, club throw, precision throw, distance kick and discus. Phys. ed. teachers at each school have been working with the athletes for several months to prepare them for the competition.

Each athlete will have a student buddy and a chaperone. On Monday night they all gathered at the James A. Dever School to tie-dye T-shirts for the competition. Lisa Sells-Asch, assistant superintendent for special services, said the buddies will attend the event to assist and cheer on the athletes. She said it is also expected that they will help educate their classmates about overcoming challenges.

Sells-Asch said that not every district chooses to have a buddy program, but District 13 officials wanted to provide that additional layer of support. Many buddies are friends or siblings of the athletes.

Sixth-grader Christian Toy, who was chosen as a buddy, said he is excited about attending the competition and cheering on his friend. “That’s the best thing you can really do,” Christian said.

Edith Heinsohn has two children participating in the competition. Son Scott Langton, 9, and daughter Linda, 8, live in District 13, although they attend specialized programs elsewhere. “It’s nice that they can do something with the residents,” she said. “This is really the first time they’ve ever done anything with Valley Stream.”