Photo by Alan M. Dumoff, more photos, ccdphotolibrary.smugmug.com
PENNSAUKEN – Blue, sunny skies and cheering football players and cheerleaders provided warm feelings for cognitively-impaired and physically-impaired children Sept. 28 here on Bishop Eustace Preparatory School’s football field.
The school’s first-ever Victory Day saw 20 participants have the opportunity to take part in passing, running, tackling and punting drills, assisted by the school’s football players; root with the cheerleading squad; or play in the pep band. The day was designed for children ages 7-19.
Each participant was partnered with a football player, cheerleader, or band member, who served as their mentor throughout the day. And each player received their own personal introduction over the PA system, as family and friends cheered in the stands.
On the 50-yard line, each participant received a certificate of appreciation, and medal of victory.
Victory Day is “important for our community, our students, and the participants who are with us today,” said Tori Wishnick, school athletic director.
“We wanted to bring out a sense of community, and bring out the special experiences that these kids don’t get on a daily basis, that sometimes our students take for granted.”
For the football squad, serving as mentors, the day is a “part of them maturing into great young men; the smiles all over the field are something these guys are never going to forget,” remarked varsity football coach Rob Cormier.
Julie Waitus cheered on her two children, 12-year old Jackson and 10-year old Darcy, who attend the Larc School, a private special-needs school in Bellmawr.
“It was a great day for them because they usually don’t get to do things that typical children normally do,” she said.
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