Troy Special Olympics Students Named 'Team of the Year'

Submitted by Troy School District 30-C

Photo, from left: Kim Rothstein, Head Coach; Lawson Sizemore, Athlete; Erin Shroeder, Coach; Nicolle Andersen, Coach; Cami Bryant, Athlete; Kristen Grawbowski, Coach.

Special Olympics students at Troy School District 30C were named, “Team of the Year,” at the 2015 Special Olympics Illinois Spring Games held on May 2 in South Holland, IL.

There was a total of some 810 participants in the competition this year, according to Special Olympics Illinois. The games were the annual sectional series of Area 7, which comprises all of Will County and parts of Cook County. Troy’s Special Olympics Athletic Director and Head Coach Kim Rothstein said the award is given to the team that has best incorporated new plans and ideas into its program.

Troy’s Special Olympics program has grown by literal leaps and bounds since Rothstein began it at the district’s seven schools in 2008, and this year, it added the Young Athletes branch of Special Olympics that allows children ages 2-7 to compete. Also new to the program this year is the inclusion of William B. Orenic Intermediate School’s LEAD Club students as volunteer coaches.

“Our athletes work very hard,” Rothstein said, “and it was apparent on Saturday with the number of ribbons and medals we took home.”

Bringing home gold medals from Troy schools were Adam Arias, 8th grade, for softball throw; Kaytia Jones, 5th grade, for 100-m run; Cami Bryant, 8th grade, for softball throw; Hanah Smith, 8th grade, for softball throw; Justin Orta, 4th grade, for the 100-m run and softball throw; Lawson Sizemore, 6th grade, for motorized 50-m slalom and tennis ball throw; Mark Harrelson, 5th grade, for 100-m run; and Seren Jenkins, 4th grade, for 100-m run and softball throw.

Other Troy Special Olympic athletes who competed at the event were Sarah Schutter, Caroline Collins, Carly Ruddy, Jonah Gonda, Henry Bilus, Lilly Jameson, Zoe Barnes, Ashley Castillo and Layla Mozaffarzadeh.

The Special Olympians were from Troy Crossroads Elementary and Troy Craughwell Elementary Schools, William B. Orenic Intermediate School and Troy Middle School.

“These students are excited to compete, and it really shows,” Rothstein said, “They are rock stars. They constantly amaze me with their abilities.”

“The district is proud of the achievements of these fantastic students,” said Troy Superintendent Dr. Todd Koehl.

Next year, the Troy Special Olympics program hopes to bring in the Troy Trojan cheerleading squad to add its own brand of spirit to the Special Olympics basketball program. Also planned is a broadening of the district’s Young Athletes program to include students ages 2-7.