By:Carrie James
While many students at W. T. Clarke High School spent the last few days of school worrying about their performance on their finals or Regents exams, Cheryl and Lauren Gottleib were busy using their wits and athletic talents at a global competition in Rhode Island.
The two sisters are spending 10 days at the University of Rhode Island with more than 2,000 other scholar-athletes and scholar-artists from around the world, including two other Clarke students. They are taking part in the 2001 World Scholar-Athlete Games, an event that celebrates education, diversity, cultural arts and athletics. Lauren is playing soccer, while her sister Cheryl is playing tennis.
"I thought it would be interesting to be around other people from around the country and even from other countries," said Cheryl, who took up tennis in seventh grade.
The Institute for International Sport created and organized the World Scholar-Athlete Games, holding the first one in 1993. It is held every four years in Kingston, R.I. Children 15 to 19 apply for the opportunity to participate in the event.
Scholar-athletes compete in one of 13 sports and scholar-artists participate in one of seven cultural activities, said Dave Curtis, event spokesman. Students compete, not on national teams, but are strategically placed on teams or groups with other students from around the world.
Those chosen use their brains in addition to their athletic abilities at the Games, Curtis said. The participants also attend "theme days" in which they discuss global issues such as world peace, hunger, the environment and ethics. It's a great opportunity for students to stretch both their mind and body, said Dan Deegan, the girls varsity soccer coach at Clarke who recommended Lauren.
"I heard about it because I also coach the Empire State Games, and I've known these girls. To me they just exemplify what this competition is all about," said Deegan about Lauren Gottleib, as well as Amy Walsh and Laura Oftring, whom he also recommended for the competition.
Both girls said they looked forward to the trip down to Rhode Island for the various competitions and discussions.
"I love to play soccer, so every chance I get to play is great," said Lauren, who has played soccer since she was 4 years old. "I hope to also just get a sense of what's going on around the world and what people are talking about."
Meeting students from around the world also appeals to Cheryl. They will room with students from other states or countries and who have differing interests, she said. This, she said, will give her and her sister a glimpse into the diversity at the games and in the world.
"I'm happy to participate in these games because I didn't think Id get into something like this," Cheryl said.
In addition to the theme days and competitions, Lauren said the Institute for International Sport will also offer training sessions during the 10-day Games. The hope, she said, is that she will learn more about soccer that will help her in next year's season.
"It's a personal thing," she said. "I want to make all-county next year. Also, as a team I want to get all the people to work together, then it would be great."
Whether the Gottleibs, Walsh and Oftring come back from the World Scholar-Athlete Games having won their sport, Deegan said he knows the girls will benefit tremendously from this opportunity.
"[The coordinators] are looking for people with maturity, dedication, etc. and not everybody gets accepted," Deegan said. "These girls will really benefit from this in many ways."
