Special Olympic athletes prepare for spring competition

By Ed Pierce

Windham students are training and getting ready to make a competitive run in the State Special Olympic Games to be held at the University of Maine at Orono in June.

Windham's Special Olympics team competed in the Maine
Special Olympics Summer Games last June at the
University of Maine at Orono and is preparing for
another spring track season. Back, from left, are AJ Mains,
Coach Wyatt LeBlanc, Austin Rice, Coach Amanda Pope,
Coach Anne Blake, Ryleigh Geary, Coach Margaret Dionne,
and Cameron Malone. Front, from left, are Dani Iaconeta, 
and Mary Jean. SUBMITTED PHOTO    

To qualify to compete in Orono, Windham Special Olympians will compete in the Cumberland County Spring Games at Bonny Eagle High School in Standish in May. The Maine Special Olympics organization provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Special Olympics is a global organization that serves athletes with intellectual disabilities working with hundreds of thousands of volunteers and coaches each year. Since the establishment of Special Olympics in 1968, the number of people with and without intellectual disabilities who are involved with the organization has been growing, but the unmet need to reach more people with intellectual disabilities is ongoing.

The activities provide the athletes with continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and to participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship.

Last spring, a team from Windham turned in an exceptional performance during the Maine Special Olympics competition in Orono and brought home a gold medal in the 4x100-meter relay race. Windham athletes also competed in the running long jump, the softball throw and several running events during the competition, which drew participating Special Olympics athletes from throughout Maine.

Anne Blake, a physical therapist from RSU 14 coaches Windham’s Special Olympics team, which is made up of student athletes from Windham High School and Windham Middle School.

Blake said because Special Olympics is a national organization, they are very stringent and need to ensure that the athletes have intellectual and other disabilities and meet the qualifying criteria to be able to compete.

Along with Special Olympians from the high school and middle school, Windham also fields a team for students in elementary school but could only take middle school and high school students to the State Special Olympics last year.

Blake said that Windham has fielded Special Olympics teams for the past decade, but because of COVID-19 concerns and restrictions, the Maine Special Olympics competition was canceled in 2020 and 2021.

Besides Special Olympics teams, Windham also fields Unified sports squads at the high school level. Unified sports teams promote social inclusion through shared sports training and competition experiences by including students with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team.

Studies have shown that Unified teams dramatically increase inclusion in the community, using sports to help break down barriers that have historically kept people apart. Teams are made up of people of similar age and ability, which makes practices more fun and games more challenging and exciting for all.

Across the state, more than 5,000 students participate in Special Olympic activities throughout the year at more than 75 different events, culminating at the State Summer Games in Orono.

In Windham’s Special Olympics track-and-field-based training program, participants can develop total fitness to compete in any sport. The program gives student athletes a chance to learn through skill development and competitive settings, and to be involved in large social groups.

Track events range from walks and sprints to relay competitions and wheelchair events. Field events include running and standing long jump contests, shot put, and softball throws.

Blake said that community support for Special Olympics and Unified sports programs is greatly appreciated. The program is always looking for volunteers from throughout the community willing to give up their time to help and cheer on the student athletes and serve as coaches and sports officials. All Special Olympic volunteers must be age 14 or older.

Financial donations are also welcomed and Maine Special Olympics is a 501C(3) nonprofit. Donations to support Special Olympics may be made online at https://support.specialolympics.org/a/maine or by mailing a check to Special Olympics Maine, 525 Maine St. Unit D, South Portland, ME 04106.

To become a Special Olympics volunteer in Windham, send an email to Blake at ablake@rsu14.org <

WHS students attend youth summit to develop positive leadership skills

By Lorraine Glowczak

About 14 Windham High School students joined 60 other teens from Westbrook and South Portland High Schools in the Third Annual Collective Impact Youth Summit held on Friday, Nov. 18, at the Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church.

Be The Influence, the local drug-free coalition, co-hosted
the Third Annual Collective Impact Youth Summit that
provided teens the opportunity to network about substance
misuse and social/emotional well-being. Fourteen students
from Windham High School attended the event and some
are shown including top from left, Victoria Lin and
Francesca Lomonte. Second row, from left are Jolene Bailey,
Erica Lin, Gwen Kim and Bella Lorenzatti.
PHOTO BY LORRAINE GLOWCZAK 

The local drug-free coalition, Be The Influence, which partnered with the Westbrook Partners in Prevention and So Po Unite coalitions, was instrumental in creating this all-day regional high school event. The purpose is to allow teens to network and share ideas with other students about what is happening in their school districts regarding substance misuse with a focus on social/emotional well-being.

During the event, WHS students also had the opportunity to build leadership skills concentrated on helping peers make healthy choices.

All participants had a choice of multiple breakout sessions that included topics such as Yoga and Mindfulness, Using Arts to Build Resilience, Leadership and Advocacy, and Life After High School. They also experienced team-building games and small group discussions.

Freshman Jolene Bailey, a member of the WHS Mental Health Advocacy Club, said that she really enjoyed the Leadership and Advocacy session because she felt she was able to create a bond with students from other schools while learning ways to develop new skills.

“The group consisted of an open conversation and was guided in such a way that I felt comfortable connecting with others,” she said. “I came away from that experience learning the ways of being an effective leader, and I hope to apply what I learned in my life and at school.”

Sophomore Francesca Lomonte, a former BTI member involved in many WHS extra-curricular activities, said that she enjoyed the Yoga and Mindfulness breakout session.

“I really liked the yoga and mindfulness session because it allowed me to chill and reset,” she said. “And it was a lot more fun than sitting in math class.”

The WHS students agreed that the summit was a fun and educational experience that provided a few personal takeaways.

“What I learned the most from attending this summit was the realization that there is a community of students out there other than what I know and experience at WHS,” Lomonte said. “This community of young people is much larger than I realized.”

Freshman Erica Lin attended the event with her older sister, Victoria, who is a senior. Lin shared her own realization regarding a peer-focused community.

“Other schools have a lot in common with us here at WHS in terms of facing the many challenges students meet today, and that makes me feel less alone knowing that.”

As far as developing leadership skills that make a positive impact among friends, the youth summit participants walked away with tools for success.

“In BTI, we create a presentation and talk with middle school students on why vaping is not a healthy choice,” Lomonte said. “Additionally, we can provide positive leadership examples with our peers by being involved in various activities. There are many choices that help people focus on a healthier lifestyle, such as getting involved with theater, robotics club, quiz show group - or any other club that helps you meet people and do something enjoyable with your life.”

BTI Director Laura Morris said that the summit was a huge success.

She said that the event was successful, partly, due to the support of WHS’ Physical Education/Health teacher, Melissa Dubois, and a financial contribution by the Sebago Lake Rotary Club that provided a portion of the summit’s lunch menu.

Morris reiterated the students’ sentiments, stating that she was delighted with the outcome and that students came away with actionable skills.

“Youth are hungry for connection and making a difference,” she said. “It was wonderful to see them embrace the topics and foster strong conversations, taking those experiences and applying them at their schools.”

Morris and Dubois both thanked the Director of Raymond Parks and Recreation, Joe Crocker, for transporting the WHS students to the event.

The BTI vision is to provide support and resources to students as well as communicate a consistent drug-free message, assuring students that they live in a community that cares about them.

The coalition is comprised of various members of the community that include: RSU 14 staff and teachers, local law enforcement, town council members, the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, prevention and counseling organizations, libraries as well as community and business organizations.

For more information about Be The Influence, visit its website at www.betheinfluencewrw.org, or send an email to Laura Morris at btidirector@windhammaine.us. You can also follow them on Facebook. <

Penney’s positive mindset inspires WHS Class of 2022 students

Having overcome more than a few obstacles during her time
at Windham High School, Hailey Penney is a positive
inspiration for her classmates and will graduate with other
members of the Class of 2022 on Sunday, June 12.
PHOTO BY ED PIERCE 

By Ed Pierce

If there is one common theme that connects members of the Windham High School Class of 2022, it’s positivity and Hailey Penney has more than enough positive wishes for the entire graduating class.

Like many other students in the graduating class, Penney has had to overcome a few obstacles in high school but will be on hand at Cross Insurance Arena in Portland on Sunday to receive her diploma. Her calm and congenial attitude has inspired both students and staff at the school who’ve overcome two years of the pandemic and associated restrictions because of the virus.  

“The teachers and school administrators have been there by my side through all my hardships and have seen my ability to focus on school and improving myself by taking big steps to better my own life,” Penney said. “A few of my closest friends said that others may not know about my strong will and perseverance when it comes to academics, work and personal challenges.”

WHS Assistant Principal Vanessa Michaud says that Penney is a standout in her graduating class because of her care for others and cheerful attitude.

“Hailey has a maturity and has had some life experiences that have given her a wisdom well beyond her years.  She solely has had the drive and initiative to become independent and prepare for her next steps in her journey after high school,” Michaud said. “Hailey also challenged herself this year with a very full plate to achieve her goals taking early college courses, her courses at WHS, as well as working. “

She said Penney is one of the kindest, caring, hardworking, strong, and independent students she has had the pleasure of getting to know and she’s honest to the core. 

“When Hailey has a free moment, she can be seen around WHS checking in on staff and truly engaging in deep meaningful conversations about how they are doing and how things are going for her.  She has an ability to make someone feel like they have known her for years in a matter of seconds,” Michaud said. “Her smile and genuine personality warm the heart.  Hailey is a good friend and checks in with her peers and is always there to support and encourage them.  Hailey is not afraid to try new things, push herself outside of her comfort zone, and face new challenges.”

Michaud said Penney’s resilience and desire to learn has helped her become a promising student.

“In the beginning of her high school career, Hailey often struggled in some her core academic classes.  She would often seek out a quiet place to try to complete her assignments and struggled with some of the core academic classes,” she said. “Her Junior year, Hailey joined our APEX program and with the guidance of the teacher, Adrianne Shetenhelm, Hailey thrived in the more independent learning environment and began to excel. She started to realize her potential as a learner and as she thrived began to look for more challenging courses therefore seeking out the early college courses.  Hailey is a student who at times in her high school career seemed to have all the odds against her and she found a way to rise above and truly shine, always with that smile on her face.”

WHS Assistant Principal Phil Rossetti agrees with that assessment.

“Hailey is a student that has forged her own path. She has advocated for herself and sought every chance to improve and truly used her education as an opportunity to advance herself,” Rossetti said. “She is someone who is wise beyond her years and a joy to work with. She makes everyone around her feel better and welcomed. I/we will miss her smile and infectious positivity.”

Penney said during her time at WHS, she developed a strong bond with social worker Caj Macdonald.

“She has helped me through so many things that I thought I would never be able to make it out of and I’m very grateful for that,” Penney said.

Her favorite class in high school was any of Joe McLaughlin’s art classes but says they were also the most challenging classes for her too.

“I thrived in the environment, and he taught me patience and drive,” she said. “They may have been my favorite but there were many times of frustration when my painting just didn’t look how I imagined. The challenge is what I loved most about art.”

She’s dealt with personal issues in her family while in high school that would have severely impacted other students but kept a positive mindset and says it made her more resilient.

“I knew that getting my diploma was important,” Penney said.

Besides focusing on academics, Penney says she enjoys spending time with my friends, dirt biking, hiking, and many other outdoor activities in her free time. 

Her immediate plan after graduation is to start a new job.

“I just got a conditional offer at the prison in Windham to be a corrections officer,” she said. “I will be starting there after I receive my diploma and go through other steps.” 

Penney says that she’ll cherish and remember fondly the past few months of her senior year.

“The most memorable part of high school for me would be these last moments with prom, marching practice, senior activities and saying goodbye to everyone,” she said. “It’s true when they say you won’t know you miss it until it’s gone. However, I’m excited to take the next step in life.” <