LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Lubbock ISD’s Vocational Transition Center awarded its Special Olympic athletes with letterman jackets Friday afternoon.
“They are so proud of their letter jackets. A lot of their classmates, they get leather jackets in sports and athletics…and they don’t really get that until they come here. And so, we’re able to give them an opportunity very similar to what their peers are experiencing,” said Cheyenne Spell, head of delegations for the district’s Special Olympics.
The center helps students ages 18 to 22 identify career and life goals and work to achieve them.
“Not many school districts have a program like this and have the support that we have,” said Program Administrator Michael May.
May recognized each student for their sports participation during the ceremony. Spell noted the Special Olympics motto is “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
“We have a lot of winners, we have a lot of gold medals, but we also really try to encourage athletes to be brave in the attempt and that as long as they try their best and they have a good time and they do their very best and they put their 100% into it, then I’m happy with the outcome and I think they’re proud of their achievements as well,” Spell said.
Students receive their customized letter jackets halfway through their junior year, so they can wear them during the spring and their senior year.
“They will wear their jackets into May. Even when it’s really hot outside, they’ll be wearing the jackets in May because they’re so excited, they’re so proud of their accomplishments,” Spell said.
Aside from feeling included and recognized through sports, Spell said the students can take the skills they learn in Special Olympics with them when they graduate.
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