Western Avenue Student(s) of the Month for September & October – Rachel Beezie – 2nd Grade & Maya Harrell – 5th Grade

Rachel Beezie has always loved horses and began riding in May 2011.  She enjoys riding horses weekly at Victory Reins Therapeutic Riding Center, which is located in Peotone, Illinois.  Therapeutic riding is an emerging field in which horses are used as a tool for physical therapy, emotional growth and learning.

Most recently, Rachel participated in a horse show that was held at Francis Field in New Lenox, Illinois.  This was her horse show debut and was the first stage in preparing riders for the Special Olympics.  Rachel participated in the following events: walk; walk/trot; costume; and trail ride.  Additionally, she performed all of her events unassisted and was in charge of the horse and received no help with instructions or memory.  She placed: 3rd for walk; 3rd for walk/trot; 1st for costume; and 7th for trail ride. Therapeutic riding benefits differently-abled individuals in so many ways! For Rachel we see her confidence blooming, her listening skills and ability to follow directions improving, and her core and motor planning strengthening.   Rachel’s ribbons are currently on display at Western Avenue School during the month of October. 

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Who knew that Western Avenue’s Girls on The Run would ignite the spark that would lead to the Junior Olympics!  After Girls on the Run, Maya Harrell tried out for the Illinois Elite, a nationally re-cognized track and field team right here in the south suburbs that produced the #1 and #2 college recruits in track and field in the nation.

Between June 9th and August 29th, Maya laced up her running shoes each week to compete in local, state, regional and national races. As part of the Illinois Elite Track club, Maya competed in the 800 meter, 400 meter, and 200 meter races.  The traveling club took the team to Kankakee, Joliet, Bloomington and Indianapolis, Indiana as they competed for a spot in the USA Track and Field Junior Olympics held in Baltimore, Maryland.  In all, Maya competed in 15 races this summer, earning 14 Gold medals and 1 Silver medal.