2009 World Games

   When I first found out the Special Olympics were coming to our valley, about a year ago, it didn't really faze me.  Though I’ve always loved helping people, I didn’t know very much about the Special Olympics and didn’t, for some reason, seek out volunteering opportunities during the preliminary Olympic games.  Over a year, I guess my mentality changed, as this year, I knew I wanted to have as much to do with the Olympics as I possibly could.  It all started when Chris McAvoy told us that each high school grade would have the privilege of volunteering for a day at the mountain with the Olympians.  I made sure I repeatedly told Chris how excited I was, and that if there was any additional volunteering I could do, I would love to know.  One day, as I was pressing Chris on additional opportunities, he explained that there might still be athletes needing a host family during their stay in Sun Valley before the games began.  And though it was only days before the Special Olympics festival began, I went home to my mom and begged.  She told me she would talk to a woman she knew who was, coincidentally, the organizer of host families, and try and work something out.  Sure enough, a day or so later, we were preparing to have two Irish athletes and their coach living with us for the upcoming week. 
    Then the day had come.  I was sitting in my room trying to finish some homework while my parents were on their way home from the airport with the mysterious trio of Irishmen.  I heard the dogs bark, and knew, that they were here.  I couldn’t help but feel nervous, as I believe I would have with any houseguests coming to stay with me.  I met a small, 13 year old blonde boy named Charlie, Ryan, a kind-looking, adult athlete and their coach, Tony inside the front door of my house.  Though their accents were strong, and they were strangers, I felt an instant bond and attraction.  Over the next five days our relationship fast-forwarded.  I felt as though they were family-that Charlie was that little brother I never had, Ryan the older brother, and Tony my second father.

    I could go on in detail about our adventures and dinners and specific times spent together during the home stay, but more important than that is the change that occurred in my life over those four days.  Now, I feel as though I am a new person.  They’ve changed my life.  The love I feel towards my three new family members is love that should be developed over years and years.  It’s strange that I have managed to fall so deeply attached to a group of people who are so different in culture and mindset to me, who have overcame personal disabilities and struggles, but are twice as strong, happy, and accomplished as I am, and possibly, will ever be.  I believe that through this incredible, incredible, opportunity, I’ve opened a new chapter in my life that will hopefully be infused in me for the rest of my life.  I sincerely hope that everyone gets the chance to feel the love, happiness, and change that I’ve been able to feel, and hope that at some point in each of your lives, you get as many true, love-filled hugs as I’ve gotten in the past month.

-Hailey Zanes '10

There really is nothing like witnessing the joy of an athlete finishing a race.  Even if there is a language barrier, the athlete will in some way express excitement.  One moment that I will remember forever is when Belgium team member, Jean Luc received gold.  He jumped off the podium after he got his medal and ran to his coach, tears streaming down his cheeks.  It was the most emotional moment I have seen in some time. 

Another of my favorite moments occurred when I was escorting Team Germany back to the athlete lounge.  I speak no German, so I was trying to communicate in 'sign language".  They weren't following me so I stuck my thumbs up and said "Das ist gut" (the only phrase I know).  After I said the one phrase in German I knew, they went ballistic, hugging me and saying "Thank you"  "Very beautiful"  then they started to sing.  Matt the announcer caught this all on the microphone and the two of us just stood there smiling.

It all happened so fast, but I wish everyday we could help at the Special Olympics.  There truly is nothing like being part of the joy and knowing that some of the athletes will remember us forever.

-Rika Pere '09

My thoughts on the special olympics were that they were a great chance for us to meet some of the athletes and learn that people are all the same. It is also great for the athletes to have a chance to do what they love and be able to go to the dance we had. I thought that the Special Olympics and I think we should do them again!

-Chase Hutchinson '14

I thought that we had an awesome opportunity, and it was a lot of fun! It was so great being able to hang out and bond with the athletes and get to know them a little better. I thought that the experience was priceless; it was amazing!

-Meredith Pintler '12