Students picked for Youth Leadership Experience
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.» Two Saratoga Springs High School students will join a select group this summer in Seattle to participate in the first ever Youth Leadership Experience at the Special Olympics USA Games.
Sophomore Trinity Hogben and senior Tiffany Weiler were selected as part of the Special Olympics New York delegation.
The Youth Leadership Experience will give students with and without intellectual disabilities a chance to serve a meaningful role in their state’s delegation, while also learning and experiencing what it takes to put on a large scale event and all of the key roles played by volunteers.
“Special Olympics New York is excited to have Trinity and Tiffany representing us and all of the youth leaders involved in our Unified Champion Schools program,” said Director of Unified Sports, Special Olympics New York Nathan Johnson. “They are great examples of what it means to live unified.”
Each day, Youth Leadership Experience participants will have different service learning experiences including volunteering in the Fan Zone, reporting through social media from the competitions, leading Special Olympics Youth Athletes activities, shadowing key volunteers or delegation staff and learning more about interscholastic and collegiate Unified Sports. Additionally, Youth Leadership Experience participants will take part in all ceremonial events with their state delegation, Team New York.
Colleen Belanger, a Saratoga Springs physical education teacher, will join Hogben and Weiler as part of the 80-person New York delegation
The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games will be held from July 1 through July 6 with more than 4,000 participants representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Athletes will compete in 14 Olympic-type team and individual sports. The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games celebrate the Special Olympics movement and its 50th anniversary; promote the ideals of acceptance and inclusion through sport and showcase athletes from throughout the U.S. and the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities. The 2018 USA Games will also highlight Special Olympics’ work in sport, education, health and community-building.