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Students show support for Special Olympics and school alumnus Larry Green
“Give it your all, buddy!”
With those words of encouragement, Grade 5 student Aidan Hunt shared a firm and sincere handshake with 33-year-old Special Olympics athlete Larry Green. Students attending the assembly at Albert Lacombe Catholic Elementary School, in St. Albert, cheered and clapped boisterously in support of Green, who will compete in the alpine skiing event at the 2012 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games.
Green and fellow Special Olympics athlete Carmen Hilton were at the school to share stories about being Special Olympics athletes and about the benefits of sports programs. The enthusiastic reception the students gave the athletes was heartening, particularly because Green is a former student of the school.
Pat Herlick, who taught Green in Grades 2 and 3, introduced him to the assembly. She said it was rewarding to see her former student, whom she remembered for his impressive ability to remember facts and figures, maintaining his enthusiastic outlook on life.
“It was really great to see what a fine young man Larry has grown into and hear about all the passions that he has for so many things,” said Herlick. “He is very personable and great to talk to. He told me about some of the passions that he has nowadays, which are a little bit different than what his interests were in elementary [school]. He has a passion for quading and fishing. He loves to do those things as well as alpine skiing. I wish Larry all the best in the future. He is a great credit to his parents and to the school system.”
That day, the outgoing and likeable Green was also a credit to his fellow Special Olympics athletes, challenging students and teachers at Albert Lacombe to give their all when the national winter games take place.
Green extended a personal invitation to Albertans to attend the games. “Athletes from across our country will be competing in sports such as alpine skiing, floor hockey, cross-country skiing, figure skating, curling and speed skating. Let’s show them the St. Albert pride and spirit by cheering them on and making them feel welcome!”
The 2012 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games take place February 28–March 3 in St. Albert and Jasper. Teachers interested in Special Olympics can find related teaching resources for Division I and Division II instruction on the Greater St. Albert Catholic Regional Division website (http://elearning.gsacrd.ab.ca). Teachers can log in as a guest.
