Kids from the Lake Orion Special Olympics program made friends with LOHS philanthropists.
The girls varsity soccer team decided to give back to the community by training kids with special needs how to play soccer on Tuesday, May 19.
The kids came ready, wearing their Dragon jerseys, tennis shoes and knee pads. Each girl had one buddy to hold his or her hand and to teach the basics of soccer.
The Lady Dragons yelled words of encouragement as the kids made goal after goal with looks of pride and accomplishment on their faces.
‘The varsity team worked us out today,? Tom Strauss, a member of the Special Olympics team said.
The varsity girls taught the kids how to do warm ups, how to dribble the ball around the cones, how to make free kicks and finally, after splitting them up in blue, green and pink teams, how to play the game.
One of the kids, Kate Appledorn, kicked the ball into the goal over her partner’s head almost every time.
‘Wow, you’re better than me!? her partner said after many times of being unable to block to goal.
Debbie Woelmer’s child, Brandon, is a member of the Special Olympics program and took part in the event on Tuesday.
‘I think it’s great that he can play with peers and be able to play with the Lake Orion High School team to see what he can become and what he can do,? Woelmer said.
Laughter filled the spring air and the kids felt like they were part of a team, felt like they belonged, which is what the girls were aiming for.
‘I like being with the varsity team. I think they’re really, really talented,? Emily Absher, a member of the Special Olympics program said.
Ken Snage, coach of the girls? varsity soccer team, came up with the idea for this event because he was looking for a way to incorporate the idea of kids working with kids.
This is the first year in which this event has taken place.
‘I always feel it is a major responsibility as an athlete to give back,? Snage said.