By Ava Yergo
The Central High School District started the Challenge five years ago after the Levittown District discontinued it, and it's quickly become a local tradition. The Challenge brings together special-education students from a number of South Shore districts for a day of good-natured, camp-like competitions, including the target toss, foot races, basketball free-throws, Hula-Hoops, and contests for farthest throw and long-jump. In between it all, there's pizza and ice cream.
Nearly 150 special-education students from East Rockaway, Massapequa, Seaford, Oceanside and Bellmore-Merrick were paired with Calhoun mainstream students from the Athletes Helping Athletes club, who acted as their buddies for the day. Spencer Glass, a Calhoun senior, was paired with Calhoun student Patricia D'Emereto, who thought the best part was "being here with friends and having fun." Glass expressed a similar sentiment, saying that "it was amazing working with Patricia, but even better seeing her enjoy herself and smile."
Megan Heverin, a Calhoun senior, was touched by her volunteer experience with her buddy Kevin Flay. "He really made an impact on my life by showing me the happiness one can acquire with the simplest things in life," Heverin said. Kevin greeted everyone he was introduced to with a high-five and a shy smile, reluctant to speak, but expressing his excitement through his distinctively bright eyes.
Heather Riddiough, a physical-education teacher and one of the Challenge's original organizers, was pleased with the turnout, calling the event "the best day in the world for these kids after working so hard all year...This is a day where they get recognized and rewarded for all their efforts."
Saul Lerner, the Central District athletics director, said of the Challenge, "This integrates the Athletes Helping Athletes kids, who get to see special-needs kids in a different light, not as those kids in the corner of the school, but as regular kids who can do regular things."
With students at the Challenge running around the sunny field, smiling, screaming, laughing and dancing together, one could easily see how true that is.Comments about this story? Sbrinton@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 203.
