T-Bird Special Olympics Club members provided support to special needs athletes who were finalists in the Special Olympics bowling competition this past weekend.
Jessica Higgs, T-Bird Special Olympics president, said she and two other club members went to St. George on Saturday to help the athletes.
Jordan Pruitt received the bronze medal and Nathan Dail received the gold medal in the bowling competition.
Aubrey Guyant, a junior elementary education major from Eagle Mountain, said as a volunteer at the bowling competition she assisted the athletes and cheered on the athletes.
“I cheered on the athletes and gave them their support, Guyant said. “I also let them know when it was their turn to bowl and if some athletes needed assistance getting up to the lane, I helped them walk up to the lane, just pretty much cheered and kept score.”
Guyant, a second-year club member, is very passionate about what she does and enjoys making a difference in the lives of the athletes.
“I love working with special needs children, I’ve done it all my life,” she said. “The athletes are so glad to have you around and they think we are their best friends.”
The T-Birds Special Olympics Club has volunteered in many sport competitions throughout the year and the bowling competition is one of many that the club members helped.
“We provided coaches and practices for our local athletes,” Jessica Higgs said. “I try to coordinate things so that our club members can come out to coach sports and we also try to do fundraising events as well.
Jessica Higgs said that the club has been active for a year and a half and so far they have provided year round sports training, assisting the athletes and much athletic encouragement.
Jessica Higgs said the athletes have participated in sports including track and field, soccer, equestrian, swimming, snowshoeing and bowling.
“One of the unique aspects of Special Olympics is that the divisions are adjusted so that every athlete competes with people of about the same capabilities, so that everyone can walk away feeling like a winner,” Jessica Higgs said.
Vicki Ann Higgs, head of delegation for T-Birds Special Olympics, said they are always looking for more students who are interested in volunteering. For more information, students can visit suuspecialolympicsclub.blogspot.com.
“Once you are a member, students can register as coaches, volunteers or as unified sports players,” Vicki Ann Higgs said.
Students can register online at sout.org.
Vicki Ann Higgs said the support from dedicated club members has helped the athletes have great opportunities.
“SUU students have been very supporting, outgoing, energetic and enthusiastic with helping out,” Vicki Ann Higgs said. “It’s really great to work with SUU.”
The T-Birds Special Olympics Club is a club that participates in making a difference. They participate in helping one another and gaining long lasting friendships.
Besides the sports, students like to be involved because of the social aspect, Vicki Ann Higgs said.
“They like to socialize with other people,” she said. “That is where our emphasis is, we are not highly competitive, we don’t stress out over winning, we just enjoy playing with one another.”
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