EHS Hosts Special Olympics Track and Field Finals

On Saturday, April 28, EHS hosted the Special Olympics of Northern Virginia Track & Field Finals. This year marked the School’s eighteenth consecutive year hosting the event, which many students count among their favorite days of the year.
 
Episcopal students came out in droves to support the athletes. Many served as “buddies,” cheering on as their partners competed, sharing lunch together, and offering support throughout the day. Faculty, parent, and alumni volunteers acted as “shepherds,” helping to guide athletes to their events.
 
“Special Olympics has always been my favorite event of the whole year. Being a student at Episcopal, my mind is constantly occupied by exams, homework, and college. However, Special Olympics gives me and many of my classmates a chance to throw everything out of our minds and live in the moment with our athletes,” said Doris Li ’18, head of Episcopal’s Service Council. “Watching my classmates and the athletes laugh together after finishing up an event always brightens my heart. Moments like these make me realize that giving and receiving are mutual. The athletes give me joy and a sense of fulfilment that is absolutely priceless.”
 
Reid Nickle ’11, who returned to campus in his role as coach of the Alexandria Titans Special Olympics track team, was grateful for the part that EHS students played in helping to ensure a successful and memorable event.
  
“The Episcopal students made our athletes feel welcome, happy, and good about themselves,” said Reid. “Working with people with special needs necessitates a certain level of both compassion and maturity that not everyone possesses. I believe these volunteers displayed those qualities in spades. Not only were their hearts in the right place, their manner was exceptional. They treated our athletes with the dignity and respect they deserve, but sometimes do not receive in our society.”
 
In a weekend brimming with opportunities for the EHS community to give back, many juniors and seniors participated in the Serve for the Cure fundraiser the very next day. Started by Charlotte Hunt ’14, Episcopal’s Serve for the Cure is a round robin tennis tournament that raises money for the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.
 
View photos from the Special Olympics of Northern Virginia Track & Field Finals here.
 
View photos from Serve for the Cure here.  
 
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