Community service organizations of Northwestern State University of Louisiana collaborate to host the annual Red River Special Olympics that will be happening on Tuesday, March 19 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m at the Walter Ledet Track.
The President’s Leadership Program, Blue Key Honor Society and Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society collaborate to provide children and adults with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to develop their physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in sharing their talents at the Special Olympics.
Abigail Coker, freshman health and exercise science major and PLP Special Olympics committee representative, explained that PLP’s main objective is to create an inclusive environment for the Natchitoches community.
“Our goals as Northwestern State students and volunteers are to help provide life-lasting moments and opportunities for those with intellectual disabilities and special needs by fostering acceptance, inclusion and friendship through the love of sports and competition,” Coker said.
PLP has worked to ensure this event goes smoothly so that the competitors and visitors can have a memorable experience.
“Our advisors, Ms. Kelly Dunn and Ms. Reatha Cox have done all of the logistics; our job is to set up the event and assign volunteer positions,” Coker said. “We are currently working on our Arts Fair, creating signs for every single one of the athletes and crafts for them to create. On the day of the event, set up will include designating spots for the athletic events, craft fairs and sponsors, and making sure that each spot has exactly what they need.”
Coker encourages students to volunteer to work the Special Olympics to give back to the community and provide individuals with a day of fun.
“Natchitoches is such a tight-knit community that is constantly helping the university, and we as the President’s Leadership Program and representatives of the student body value service whenever possible,” Coker said. “I personally have volunteered for the Special Olympics since I was in middle school, and I have learned that this event alone teaches community and collectivism far more than any other event.”
Linzi Lampert, junior health and exercise science major, PLP mentor and Blue Key Honor Society member, has helped contribute to the event since her freshman year.
“The Blue Key Honor Society is just one of many esteemed honor societies here at Northwestern that will be volunteering along with many others to help facilitate the Red River Special Olympics,” Lampert said.
The Blue Key Honor Society recognizes college students for balanced and all-around excellence in scholarship, leadership and service through events like the Special Olympics.
“Nick Knotts has served as the President of Blue Key for the past year and would agree that this honor society fosters servant leadership and celebrates the accomplishments of involved upperclassmen who not only thrive in the classroom, but devote themselves to bettering NSU,” Lampert said.
Brooke Straight, sophomore communication major and president of ALD, explained that ALD also plays a role in amplifying the impact the Special Olympics makes on the community.
“ALD invites Mustache Mike’s Italian Ice to come and serve the attendees of the Special Olympics. This is a huge hit every year and brings tasteful flavor to such an exciting event,” Straight said. “Our members and officer board also volunteer for the event, making posters, helping set up, working stations and tearing down at the end.”
In her experience, this event reminds Straight of the importance of giving back to not only the campus, but to the community outside of it as well.
“Serving others has always been a huge passion of mine, and I love being able to see the smiles and excitement that this event brings,” Straight said. “Also, I am able to appreciate all of the hard work behind the scenes from faculty, staff, students and others as well.”
Jorge Vargas, sophomore business administration major and PLP mentor, added that this event has made a positive impact on the Natchitoches community for years.
“In the spring semester of 2016, the President’s Leadership Program was responsible for planning their community impact projects,” Vargas said. “A group decided they wanted to do more for those with seen and unseen disabilities, so they made efforts to bring the Red River Special Olympics to Natchitoches where it’s been hosted for the past eight years.”
Ranging from supporting the athletes emotionally to helping lead the events, there are a variety of slots that still need to be filled to make this event a success.
“The slots include set-up and take-down volunteers, huggers to assist athletes, craft volunteers to assist the craft fair, and track and field leaders to lead the field events,” Vargas said. “Students are also encouraged to fill out the attached form before the event; we will have additional forms on the day of the event. In the case that the student can volunteer for the event without reserving a slot, we will accept walk-up volunteers as well.”
If students are interested in volunteering or have any questions regarding the event and/or facility, please contact Abigail Cocker at [email protected]. Whether helping run the event or just cheering on the participants from the stands, support the athletes and help them create a memorable experience.
