The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Special event returns to college
Lake Erie College kicked off its first spring event for special-needs students on April 5 with a game of kickball.
The event, called the Tiberius Effect, is designed to bring students with disabilities and college students together to play intramural games.
It is organized by two student-led groups at the college, the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and Students Making A Difference.
Dozens of Lake Erie College student volunteers and 13 students from Heritage Middle School in Painesville gathered on Jack Slattery Field behind the Jerome T. Osborne Athletic & Wellness Center for an interactive outdoor sport.
The event was enjoyable for both Lake Erie College and Heritage Middle School students.
“I think the college students really benefited from coming to this event because it gave them time to take a break from class and be a kid again,” said Emily Long, president of Students Making A Difference. “It’s just a lot of fun for everyone.”
The first Tiberius Effect event featured a basketball game and was held last November.
“It was because the basketball game was so successful and a lot of the college students and the kids from Painesville Schools had a lot of fun, that we wanted to incorporate it again in the spring semester here at Lake Erie,” Long said. “I just love giving back to the community.”
Long and Sam Ellis, who is vice president of Students Making a Difference, said they are hoping the event continues to grow and include more area schools.
About seven special education teachers from Heritage accompanied the students.
Special education instructor Tami Harris said the greatest advantage is the social interaction.
“It’s great that they get to bond with the college students and build friendships,” Harris said.
“Even though they have special needs, they are no different than any one else. They’re still kids and they still have hopes and dreams.”