Teenagers are often portrayed as selfish or lazy, yet the CHS student volunteers proved these stereotypes wrong by selflessly donating their time to help other kids acheive their goals.

Beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Apr. 3, many student volunteers from Carlisle High School, along with psychology teacher Jeremiah Henry, helped out to make the Special Olympics at Dickinson College happen.  This is the third year that Carlisle students have been encouraged by Henry to volunteer and make the day go smoother; CHS students have been participating on their own for longer.

According to the Special Olympics website devoted to Cumberland County, “to be eligible to participate in Special Olympics, athletes must have an intellectual disability; a cognitive delay, or a development disability, that is, functional limitations in both general learning and adaptive skills.” Children may start participating in the Special Olympics at the age of 8 and may continue to do so for the rest of their lives.

“The kids that participate in the Olympics are the most valuable part in volunteering.  It’s always a fun day for them,” said senior Bri Doane, who volunteered to help at the Special Olympics this year.

There are many events that the kids participated in throughout the day.  These events included short, long, and wheelchair sprints, softball throws, shot put, turbo-javelin, and high jump.  Each participant had a limit on the number of events they could compete in.

“It’s not about winning and losing.  It is all about doing the best that you can and everyone celebrates the efforts,” said Henry.

The Special Olympics did not fail to create a fun experience for the kids once again this year.  The events wrapped up around lunchtime, leaving a lunch break.  In addition,  there is an Olympic Village where the athletes can enjoy themselves and simply relax by mingling with the other athletes.

“I think it’s awesome that Dickinson College holds this kind of event.  Not only is it great for the kids; it is an opportunity to bring together the community as well,” said CHS alumni Gregory Tate.