Catoctin athletes ‘Unify’

Mia Ferraro
CHS Class of 22

(2/2021) After Frederick County Public Schools’ temporary suspension of all athletic activities of winter sports, Catoctin High School’s own Unified Bocce team returned to practices the week of January 25th after roughly a month of anticipation. The team of six is "ready for bocce action and play," as Unified Bocce coach Charmane Nesbitt described. "They have gained the knowledge and skills necessary for varsity competition." Nesbitt expects that this season, the players will "confidently compete and show sportsmanship while having fun, the Unified Cougar Way!"

Winter sports practices were able to resume for the single week of January 25th through February 1st. The competitive season for CHS winter sports begins February 1st and ends February 12th. The fall sports season will begin immediately after on the 13th. Neither the fall nor spring sports season may be modified by the delays in the winter season per COMAR/MPSSAA regulations. Because of the limited opportunities offered by the short competitive season, Unified Bocce will not be able to participate in any regional or state matches. The team has come close to winning the State Championship for the past couple of years and are disappointed that they will not have the chance again this year at winning due to the pandemic. Along with the general FCPS restrictions regarding COVID (face coverings, social distancing, COVID symptom evaluations, etc.), safety regulations have been implemented within the sport. This includes labelling the bocce balls so that each individual will use the same ones, preventing the spread of germs. They are also limited within practices as to what they can and can not participate in.

"There are some activities we can’t do as well," Unified Bocce co-caption Grace Kovalcik stated, "specifically some games we would sometimes play at the end of practice, like tag." Kovalcik is a senior this year that has been a part of the team since 9th grade. She had missed being with the team over the temporary delay of sports. "Being around everyone helps me to stay positive about what’s going on with the world, as well as gives me something to look forward to!" she expressed. This is a common feeling among the team. Sophomore Siddah Robbins has been on the team for about two years, and also participates in Unified Tennis and Unified Track and Field in addition to Unified Bocce. She was happy to be back with the coach and her teammates, after having worried that they wouldn’t be able to meet at all. She hadn’t interacted with the team for a while, and was excited to bond with them more. The team’s other co-captain, sophomore Jazmyne Howard, also missed spending time with the other members. "COVID really affected the team by not being able to be close," Howard said, "but we are still very close friendship-wise."

Inclusive environments like this are very important for every individual, but particularly for students who have disabilities. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities--especially students--have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Isolation is uniquely difficult for them, as most benefit greatly from hands-on learning and social interaction--not to mention the amount of people who may have lost access to therapeutic support. In addition to this, many people with disabilities often have other health conditions as well, such as diabetes or heart disease, that put them at a higher risk for the dangers of COVID’s effects. They have to be extra careful, which makes it even more challenging to find the support they need. The impact of the pandemic on those who have disabilities can go unacknowledged in the public, but Special Olympics Maryland recognizes and accommodates those needs. "Something we at Special Olympics have been observing this year is that for as much as general education students are struggling with the restrictions put in place because of COVID, our athletes are likely struggling that much more," Veronica Smaldone expressed. Smaldone serves for AmeriCorps as Western Maryland Coordinator for Unified Champion Schools. This is a part of Special Olympics’ school program that focuses on creating and sustaining inclusive school cultures nation-wide. "In some cases, they might not be able to rely on some of the coping/stress-relief techniques that many people use when they’re stuck at home, like being able to just get out and take an unsupervised walk whenever they please or schedule a call with a friend," Smaldone explained.

Special Olympics Maryland has been focusing the last few months on developing virtual Unified programming for schools to adopt with the goal that students will still have opportunities to socialize and interact despite the distance. The organization has been in contact with various schools in Frederick County to get a start on the programs within the virtual and upcoming hybrid settings. On December 10th, Special Olympics held an Inclusive Schools Celebration where all students were encouraged to participate in activities held on their website and spread the word online about the celebration and inclusion within the community.

March 3rd marks the upcoming Spread The Word (STW) Inclusion Day, a national campaign, co-founded by Special Olympics and Best Buddies, dedicated to spreading awareness through education and calls to action. School communities are encouraged to pledge their commitment to always use respectful language, to genuinely include people regardless of differences, and to outwardly condemn bullying. STW day is also a means to help schools earn recognition as Unified Champion Schools of Maryland. After that, the Virtual Youth Leadership Summit will take place on March 6th. Up to four student representatives from all high schools are welcome to take part in an event consisting of Unified activities designed to "empower youth leaders to support more interactive and inclusive school communities." Special Olympics Maryland is currently developing a new website, but you can find upcoming events and ongoing activities at www.somd.org. The site also offers virtual exercise sessions, wellness advice, social clubs, and more with their "Virtual MOVEment" section. Special Olympics Maryland offers plenty of accessible resources to athletes, students, and all people of all abilities and disabilities for an inclusive and interactive environment during a time where accessibility to support is most necessary.