Young Athletes at West Point
Ms. Tatanisha Powell, who is the Strategic Engagement and Outreach Admissions Specialist and Directorate of Admissions at the United States Military Academy, reached out to Special Olympics NY in hopes of starting a Young Athletes program on campus. Ms. Powell, or Coach T as the Young Athletes affectionately refer to her, is the grandmother of a child with an intellectual disability. Coach T wanted to provide her grandson with activities that would help him develop gross motor skills and interact with other children his age. To that end, she ensured the Young Athletes program at West Point was run like any other program on-campus: Efficiently and effectively.
Using Special Olympics resources (including the full YA curriculum, along with skills and drills for cadets in training), Coach T developed an impactful Young Athletes program that promises to be a mainstay on campus for years to come. On Sunday April 27th, the Young Athletes were recognized during a culminating event that was held the same day as the West Point Spring Games. This gave parents an opportunity to celebrate their kiddos, while getting a look at some of the sports available to their children once they are eligible to compete at age eight.
Here’s how Coach T described the program:
“First, I would like to thank you so much for allowing me and the West Point team coach and inspire a group of Young Athletes. The program not only has it been inspirational for the families and participants it has also been a rewarding and inspiring opportunity for me.
“Over the past six weeks, the young athletes have participated in sports activities, games, and play to help develop skills. During week six, the young athletes participated in a confidence course where they were able to display and execute skills from walking and running, balance, jumping, trapping, catching, throwing, kicking, climbing, and even the use of agility speed and reaction.
“This weekend the young athletes will participate in an Easter Egg Hunt themed session. They will negotiate different functioning skills in search for Easter Egg Treasures.”
The result? Just take a look at those smiling faces!
Want to learn more about our Young Athletes program? Click here!
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