The start of spring, which officially came on Monday, was a welcome sign to many students of the coming warmer weather and the nearing week of vacation from classes. The date also marked a start to the spring sports season, though many teams have already begun practices in preparation for upcoming competitions.
One group of student athletes, however, is readying to participate in a different form of competition. Student athletes in the special education program at RBHS will compete against students at both Battle and Hickman High School at the second annual United Challenge on Apr. 28 at BHS.
The event, organized with the collaboration of the three high schools, provides an opportunity for these students to compete alongside their classmates and to represent their school at the event, special education teacher Rachel Victor said.
“The goal of the United Challenge is to give high school students with disabilities the opportunity to compete and represent their school,” Victor said. “[It] gives students a fun environment to get to know their peers in their school [and creates] friendships and a learning experience.”
The student athletes that participate in United Challenge can compete in 12 different events from relay races to basketball, Victor said, and are paired with similarly-abled students as well as with regular education student volunteers from each of the high schools.
“[The volunteers] are buddies [and] help run the events, help with food and water and cheer on their home school athletes,” Victor said. “[It serves] to bridge the gap, both socially and physically, between regular and special education students.”
The incorporation of student volunteers into United Challenge, however, means the event makes an impact on many more students than simply those competing in the athletic events. Senior Kayla Glaser volunteered as a sophomore at the first United Challenge event, and said her involvement with the event was both exciting and enlightening.
“I had a really great experience at United Challenge,” Glaser said. “All the participants were really energetic and excited to be participating in the events. All the volunteers were very happy and excited to be there helping out. I remember that I was working at my station and it was really fun because when each participant did a good job, everyone was really excited for them and you could tell that student was really happy with themselves because they would have huge smiles on their faces.”
With the number of athletes that participate in United Challenge from each of the high schools, the event also encourages certain clubs to volunteer time at the competition as well. Jacob Land, a senior from HHS, is the president of his school’s Key Club and said while not all of the club’s members are required to go, those that do find the experience a valuable one.
“It is great to get to know the athletes because they don’t get to interact with the regular students at their schools very often. The reward is seeing how happy the athletes are when they do well and get their medals,” Land said. “I have made friends with a lot of the athletes. This event means a lot to them, so it is great to help them succeed.”
Like Land, Glaser said the event is an impactful one to both volunteers and athletes. While she is unsure if she will be able to participate this year, she said she hopes many others sign up to volunteer and help make the event a memorable one.
“I would tell anyone that is considering participating in United challenge to volunteer if they can. It was really fun when I did it and the atmosphere on the day of United challenge is great.  Also when you volunteer you get to meet lots of really nice people who are excited to be out and about participating in fun events,” Glaser said. ‘The whole day of United Challenge was really fun and you’re sure to walk away with a giant smile on your face from all the really nice people that you get to be around that day.”
Have you ever participated in the United Challenge? What was your experience? Leave a comment below.