MHS freshmen raise $2,110 local special needs athletes
The Memorial High School varsity cheerleaders led team spirit cheers as the Stroman School students collected and presented a check for just over 2, 00.00, to the Shining Stars Special Olympics team.
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BIG EVENT
More than 60 of Victoria's Shining Stars Special Olympic team will compete at the Area Bowling Competition in Corpus Christi on Saturday.
The $2,110 raised will go toward transportation by charter bus, meals and entry fees.
Shining Star Olympic athlete Sandra Sandoval sat at a special ceremony at the Memorial High School Stroman Campus Wednesday.
She was on the verge of crying happy tears.
"I was about to cry because I thought I was going to be rich or something," Sandra, 34, said.
Sandra, and several of her other athlete friends, accepted a check for $2,110 to compete in the Area Bowling Competition in Corpus Christi this weekend.
The money was raised by the freshmen at the Stroman campus. Students cheered on the athletes as they stood in the center of the basketball gym.
Sandra's mother, Maria Elena Sandoval, attended the event.
"I think it was wonderful. Outstanding," her mother said. " It was unbelievable that they could do that for our team."
The freshmen had about five weeks to raise the money, said Tessa Laas, coordinator of the project. The students took control of the project.
"The teachers gave really great support, but more so, it was the kids," Laas said. "The kids came up with the idea of writing letters to the editor and letters to businesses. The kids just totally took off with this."
Some students visited local businesses for donations.
Competition was also held among the students, said Jonathan Nguyen, 15.
"We were trying to have a fight between the third, fourth and second floors to see who could donate the most money, which would encourage people do donate money to win," Jonathan said.
Each floor is divided by counselor.
Altogether, $2,110 was raised and presented to the Shining Stars Olympic athletes Wednesday.
"We tried our best to show our support in how much we care for them," said freshman Neal Taylor, who went to Wal-Mart for funds. "We also showed how we were able to do other things that some people say we might not be able to."
Laas said she was surprised by the support of students.
"I can't tell you how proud I am without crying," Laas said. "These kids, kids that you wouldn't think would really donate and give their extra $5, sometimes even $10. The kids that you thought would just blow it off, those were the ones who gave the most."
After competing in Corpus Christi, all athletes will advance to state in Austin.
By giving these special needs athletes the chance to compete in the bowling tournament, they will be given a chance to grow as people, said parent Martha Ulcak.
"It increases their self-esteem. It gives them a socialization outlet," Ulcak said. "Unfortunately, a lot of people with intellectual disabilities, once they're out of school especially, are at home with nothing. And for a lot of our athletes, this is what they look forward to."
