He's everything to us

'He's everything to us' — Ben Szteliga has overcome challenges to become the Heart of the Dartmouth Indians

A page in Ben Szteliga’s eighth-grade scrapbook reads:

“My goal is to become a part of the Dartmouth High School football team next year. I will take a few months to get into shape. The steps I will take are: Make a commitment, train, run, exercise, keep trying and listen to the coaches. Never give up even if it’s hard. My goal will be worth it because I will feel proud to be a part of the team. I love football.”

Surprise! This Maryland prom proposal will make you smile

from MyFoxDC.com:
GLENELG, Md. - A Maryland girl surprised a boy at her school with a sweet prom proposal that was uploaded to YouTube. 

Cameras were rolling as James, who has Down syndrome, made his way to the gym at Glenelg High School in Howard County. 

As he walked inside, his classmates were gathered for the big moment. James made his way to the center of the basketball court when a girl named Maisy approached him with a sign-- and a question. 

Maisy asked James "Will you go to the prom with me?" It's a date because he said yes!

Special night for a special kid on Pelham basketball court

 

by Mike Bourk from the Lowell Sun: PELHAM -- Like a lot of the other games in the course of an outstanding Pelham High boys basketball season, this one was never in doubt. Ryan Cloutier scored 19 points and the Pythons finished 18-0 in New Hampshire (20-1 overall) with a 70-30 dismantling of Prospect Mountain of Alton on Friday night. It was Senior Night for Pelham and coach Matt Regan added some nice touches. He started the fourth quarter with his five seniors and replaced them as a group at the first whistle for their final regular season time together. The move got the packed house cheering. And the loudest ovation at the "Snake Pit" was reserved for senior Bryan Doherty. Bryan has been the team manager for Pelham High School basketball and football for the last four years.

Good call by Missouri h.s. referee gives fan with Down syndrome a moment in spotlight

by FOX 4 Newsroom:
BARNARD, Mo. — One referee is receiving praise for an unusual  call he made prior to a high school basketball game last week.
Referee Don Lawrence invited a fan in the first row to toss the jump ball at the beginning of the game.
“He noticed Cole was wearing his referee jersey and whistle and he was mimicking the start of the game, things like that, and he had the idea that it would be a good idea if he would toss the jump ball to start the game,” said South Nodaway physical education teacher Aaron Murphy told St. Joe Channel.
The fan was South Nodaway freshman Cole Henggeler. Henggeler has Down syndrome and enjoys watching the officials, which made the referee’s gesture even more special for the 14-year-old.
“Being around Cole for long time now and seeing him at ball games, he has an infatuation with referees, he loves mimicking the calls, the fouls, loves having the whistle and it’s something we’ve done in the PE class with him,” said Murphy.
Henggeler’s mother, Carrie,  had a front-row seat to watch as her son helped get the game started.
“I’m really proud of Cole,” she said told St. Joe Channel. “He does great in academics, he does great in athletics and he’s just all around a great kid.”
The referee said he was happy to help.
“Very big thank you on behalf of the South Nodaway school, the crowd that was there it made their day not only Cole’s. It was a great thing to see. You know very generous of him in that idea,” Murphy said.

Blue Valley North wrestler makes his way without special treatment

by Beth Lipoff from The Kansas City Star:
Patrick Chapman loves a good challenge.
Whether it’s signing up for the school junior varsity wrestling team without any experience — and without telling his parents —or attaining the rank of Eagle Scout, he’s ready to tackle whatever lies ahead.
The 19-year-old Blue Valley North senior doesn’t let Down syndrome stand in the way of any of his goals.
His parents, Dan and Lauren Chapman, were worried that the sport might be too much for their son to handle, but they’re happy to have been proven wrong.
Related “It’s hard to do, because wrestling is pretty challenging to me,” Patrick said.
Lauren likes the values Patrick learned from his teammates and coaches.
“Even though it’s an individual sport, (the boys are) really close,” she said. “He makes better social connections through sports than other things, because he spends so much time with the same individuals.”
Although Patrick has some additional challenges his teammates don’t, he doesn’t want — and doesn’t get — special treatment.

Heart-warming end to senior night

 

By Kassie Barroquillo from KPC News.com:KENDALLVILLE — Despite losing to Columbia City, 40-29, Wednesday, East Noble ended its senior night with a cheering crowd, a trophy, and an excited team — all thanks to a wrestler who has become the heart of the squad.

Senior John Herron pinned fellow senior Jake Weimer in an exhibition match immediately following the end of the Knights’ varsity meet. He has been on the wrestling team for three years. Herron has been the recipient of the team spirit award for the past two years; he is always one of the loudest people cheering for his teammates; and he has Down Syndrome.“He’s got all of the qualities everybody wants. He’s so supportive of us,” said EN coach Keith Hoffar. “It has been a privilege and I think the kids think so too.”
Assistant coach Ryan Pepple, who planned the exhibition match, said, “I wanted to give him the same experience as his teammates.”

Year-end review: LC unified team wins inaugural state title

by J.R. Tidwell from The Moulton Advertiser:
Donna Flannagan, the Special Services Director for the Lawrence County Board of Education, was recently contacted about a unique opportunity being presented to some local students.“Special Olympics Alabama approached me and asked me about starting a Special Olympics unified football team,” she said. “They said it was going to be in conjunction with the Alabama High School Athletic Association and the 7A state championship game.
“This was a great opportunity for our students, so I asked Steve Jones, who helps out a lot with Special Olympics in Lawrence County, if we could pursue this, and would he be interested in coaching, because I don't know a first down from a touchdown.
“He said he would, so we kind of left it at that. When fall came around we called Special Olympics Alabama and they said they were still going to do it, so we began rounding up our team.”
The Unified league has a distinct set of rules for both games and team make up.

homecoming king will make you smile

KMSP-TV
from My Fox 9:
Blaine High School homecoming king Brock Shepard fits the stereotype -- a popular, three-sport athlete with an amazing smile. More than 2,000 students selected Shepard as their homecoming king not because he has Down syndrome, but “because of what he means to the school in spite of it,” the school said.
“Everyone loves him,” homecoming queen Britney Monteon said. “He means a lot to the school. He's amazing.”
Shepard is known for his “infectious” personality at BHS. He's the manager of the Bengals wrestling and plays on the school's adapted floor hockey, bowling and soccer teams.

Congratulations Brock! Watch his coronation at http://youtu.be/nWZML9g52X4

Friday night lights shine on 2 boys with Down Syndrome

by Grayson Edds from Connect Amarillo.com:
SANGER, TEXAS -- CNN -- They're not just water boys anymore. Two Texas teens are named honorary team captains of their football team.
Football season is back in Sanger, Texas, and the only thing more sure than getting sacked and sweaty in practice is seeing these two young men on the sidelines.
Blaky Pyron and Austin Waters are best friends, both going into their senior year at Sanger High.
And for the past few years, the teenagers who live with Down Syndrome have been a big part of the varsity football team. Water boys who led the team out of the tunnel every single game.
"These guys are special," said head coach Chuck Galbreath. "They have unique abilities and they live life to the fullest."
Galbreath has gone out of his way to make these kids not just feel like they're a part of the team, but be a part of the team.
"They're an inspiration for all of us, I know for me specifically," he said.

This Teen Refused To Walk At Graduation Without His Twin Brother With Down Syndrome

by Dominique Mosbergen from The Huffington Post:
Austin Coppola attended Fairport High School in Fairport, New York. His twin brother, Ty, who has Down syndrome, did not. But last week, at the school's graduation ceremony, that difference mattered little.
Austin had refused to take part in the ceremony unless his brother was allowed to walk on stage with him. Austin told his mom that Ty deserved the same recognition and praise he would be getting that night.
"'Mom, Ty has worked harder than me, he's endured more challenges,'" the twins' mom, Cheryl Coppola, quoted Austin as saying, according to ABC-affiliate WHAM-TV. "'Yeah, I've earned it, I worked hard for my degree, but he's worked hard in a different way.'"
On June 26, Austin got his wish. The young man and his brother, both wearing caps and gowns, took to the stage together to receive Austin's diploma.

What a great moment. Ty and Austin Coppola share the stage and graduate together! Fairport HS #2014 #brothers #twins pic.twitter.com/ydmh9uhaTp
— Patrice Walsh (@PatriceWalsh13) June 27, 2014

It was emotional moment for the 17-year-old brothers -- and for all those who witnessed it. The pair reportedly received a standing ovation from the crowd gathered. Austin took to Twitter to say the response brought him "to tears."

That standing ovation for Ty brought me to tears. The FHS class '14 will always hold a place in my heart. I hope to see all of you again !!
— Austin Coppola (@acoppola8) June 27, 2014

"This is probably going to be one of the most memorable moments of my life and it means so much to me that [Ty] can share it with me," Austin told WHAM-TV. "I'm definitely a much better person with him in my life. There's no way I would be the same without him. Not at all."

Teen with Down Syndrome Accused of Sexually Assaulting Classmate at School

by Ari Mason from NBC Connecticut:

A Bridgeport teen with Down Syndrome is facing charges after police say he sexually assaulted a 16-year-old classmate, who is also mentally disabled, in a bathroom at Harding High School last August.

According to police, a group of onlookers used cellphones to record video while 19-year-old Patrick Nolan allegedly assaulted a fellow student in the school bathroom.

Defense attorney Mark D. Phillips said the special needs students were victimized. The other teens egged them on, he said, and the special needs students are not supposed to be in the bathroom unsupervised.

"He is a victim, as is anyone else who may have been affected by this ... type of conduct," Phillips said of Nolan.

Special-needs students perform in high school talent show

by Eric Yutzy from Local 10:
MIAMI -

They may be out of tune, but these best friends are not out of place.

Howard Rouse and Matthew Fernandez are in Best Buddies, a club at Southwest Miami High School that connects students with and without special needs.

Howard has Down Syndrome. Matthew has Howard, and high school hallways are always better with an ally.

"When you go into the cafeteria you see people with Down syndrome and disabilities sitting with jocks and cheerleaders," said Fernandez. "It's a beautiful sight."

Student with Down syndrome crowned prom king

from KARE 11 NBC:
BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. -- Prom is a night to remember for many students, and that was certainly the case for the those at Park Center High School.
Students celebrated as Austin Guertin, who has Down Syndrom, was crowned prom king.
Austin's date Jessica said she had a great time at the dance and was happy to go to prom with a great person.

Sayville's Meg LaBelle, with Down syndrome, scores goal in lacrosse game

by Stephen Haynes from Newsday:
Farmingdale goalie Olivia Kirk was brought to tears, so moved by a goal she allowed that meant as much as any she had ever prevented.
"That was a great moment; something special," said the senior, one of several players on either sideline overcome with emotion. "How often does something like this happen?"
Meghan LaBelle, a Sayville junior with Down syndrome, scored against Farmingdale with 4.9 seconds remaining in Friday night's game. She carried the ball from midfield, with the help of Sayville's Julianne Johnston, drove up the right wing and fired from close range.
Cameras flashed, video rolled, the benches roared and many in attendance became choked up. LaBelle just beamed, having just realized one of her fantasies.
"Playing lacrosse is my dream," she said, still giddy. "It's my favorite sport. I was excited [but] I wasn't nervous at all. I got to play with my best friend, Jules."
That would be Johnston, who has known LaBelle since kindergarten.

Timberline baseball senior with Down syndrome stepping up to the plate

by Trevor Phibbs from Varisy Extra and OhioStatesman.com:
The final school bell chimes in mid-afternoon at Timberline High, signaling time to begin preparation for another baseball practice. Players act as groundskeepers andscatter across the diamond with rakes and garden hoses.
Senior Eddie Gordon can hardly wait to get started. Baseball has been on his brain from the moment he woke. Sprinting up the walkway, his excitement is pulsating; time is of the essence when it comes to practice.
Seconds from the gate, his eagerness combusts. "WASSUP?" he spouts from beyond the bordering chain-linked fence, waving his arms frantically. The team responds harmoniously, mimicking the famous Budweiser commercial.
Gordon's smile permeates across the field. This is the life. He's been an integral member of the Timberline program for the past two seasons, contributing as the batboy and serving as the team's unofficial moral deputy.
Born with Down syndrome, the opportunity to be one of the guys has meant the world.
But Monday night, his usual duties will take a back seat when he becomes a varsity player. After making an agreement with Centennial, Timberline coach Larry Price will pencil Gordon's name in the leadoff position to ceremoniously open Senior Night with an intentional walk.
Because for everyone involved in the program, Eddie has meant the world.

Former Don Bosco football player Divitto inspired by sister

by Jeff Roberts from The Record:
The voice on the other end of the phone kept him going.
Every night Steele Divitto made the call, sitting in someone else’s house, lounging on someone else’s bed.
The former Don Bosco linebacker spent the winter back in New Jersey, chasing his dream of reaching the NFL. His two-a-day training sessions for Boston College’s March pro day had him run all morning. Lift in the afternoon. Squeeze physical therapy in between. And then he would return to the gym at 8 or 9 p.m. for one-on-one workouts.
But at the end of each grueling day, Divitto knew his older sister, Collette, was waiting to hear from him. She was born with Down syndrome, but never allows it to stop her from doing anything. So Divitto cannot allow anything to stop him.
"She’s a huge inspiration," he said. "She’s one of the most amazing people in my life. I’m so blessed to have her. I’m her biggest fan. She’s my biggest fan.
"At the end of the day, I do it for her."

Boise cheerleader with Down syndrome inspires teammates

by Ashley M. Williams from USA Today:
Rachel Massingale, a cheerleader for Centennial High School in Boise, is doing more than just firing up crowds -- she's inspiring them.
Rachel, who has Down syndrome, has proved to all those around her what's possible when you're determined to reach your goals. Cheerleading coach Melissa Casey says not only has she been able to learn 52 cheers, but she "has even added her own little spirit to them."
Her teammates praise her for her incredible passion and the joy that she brings to everyone .
"I am very inspired by Rachel; I think she's taught us all a lot," teammate Mika Muta told KTVB. "She always gives 100%."

Utah student with Down syndrome wrestles at state tournament

by Carly Figueroa from Salt Lake City Fox 13 News:
TROPIC, Utah — When state championships are on the line, it’s hard to focus on other priorities.
But a group of Utah high school wrestlers made it clear they care about more than winning.
A boy with Down syndrome named Payton wrestled in a match that mattered as much as any championship final. It’s a feeling many high school wrestlers never get the chance to experience, winning a match at the state tournament.
Even the ref had tears in his eyes as 17-year-old Payton Johnson celebrated his win.
“He has a very special spirit of innocence and love and that touches people’s hearts,” said Payton’s coach, Carlon Johnson.
Payton’s parents said it’s a great atmosphere for their son to be in.
“It’s really awesome,” Payton’s mother, Tracy, said. “It’s really good to see people with disabilities be included, and I’m glad that people are excited about it.”
His teammates call him the backbone of the Bryce Valley wrestling team because he makes practice fun.

Dunlope grows from love of sport

by Frank DiRenna from This Week Sports.com:
Anna Dunlope has been a part of the Westerville South High School swimming and diving program for four seasons.
Although she may not have had the same results as some of her teammates, her enthusiasm is endless.
Dunlope, 19, has Down syndrome, but she has not allowed it to hinder her love for the sport.
"We're very proud of her," said her mother, Debbie. "She loves swimming. It's been a tremendous positive influence in her life. The friendships that she has developed and the support system that she has with the other swimmers -- and just the camaraderie going to swim meets and seeing kids from other schools that she knows -- being part of a team is huge."
Anna's favorite event is the 100-yard breaststroke, but she also competes in other events, including the 50 freestyle. Her father, Doug, believes she has a personal-best of about 54 seconds in the 50 free.
She credits her teammates and coaches for helping her progress and enjoy competing in the sport.
"They keep me on track of what we're doing," she said. "Coach (Jeff Riegler) teaches me to go faster."
Anna is the only senior on the girls team, and Riegler expects her to receive special recognition during the Wildcats' season-ending awards ceremony.
'That makes me feel special," she said of being the only senior. "This is my last year. It's kind of sad."
"She can't do everything, but she doesn't really stop," Riegler said. "Everybody treats her with respect and you can't ask for a better teammate."

Cheerleading a Charmed Life

by Rob Rogers from The Billings Gazette:

The tryouts were closed to everyone, parents included.

“She had done dance forever and so we thought she’d do dance,” said Kristy Schnetter. “But she didn’t want to do that. She wanted to be a cheerleader.”

Aspyn Schnetter, 15 and a freshman at Senior High this year, finished at Lewis and Clark Middle School in May and decided she was going to try out for the high school’s cheer squad.

For Kristy, it was a little concerning. But not necessarily surprising. It was just one more example of her daughter’s indomitable enthusiasm and life-loving drive. Aspyn has Down syndrome.

And so Kristy knew the experience would be fraught with peril. She wanted to be in that tryout for no other reason than to at least show support for her daughter.

“I was really nervous,” Kristy said.