Students from a variety of grade levels in the Colonial School District competed on the same playing field Friday - a "level" playing field. Special Olympics Delaware presented the 2023 Bocce Games.
Students with cognitive or physical challenges were treated to an opening ceremony, complete with the "flame of hope." Then, it was down to business.
(speaking in the video: WPHS students Lucas Ernst and Makayla Hollis; John G. Leach adaptive physical education teacher Frank Hughes; Jon Buzby of Special Olympics Delaware)
Why bocce?
"It's one of those lifelong games that our students can continue to play in high school, post-school and into adulthood," John G. Leach School Adaptive Phys-Ed teacher Frank Hughes said.
Hughes coached some of the students who utilized special adaptive equipment to push a bocce ball into play. Others competed in the more traditional way on some of the nearly two dozen bocce courts that were set up on the football field at William Penn High School.
"It doesn't matter how athletic you are, how strong you are, or how fast you run. The skill of bocce is something that everyone can acquire and be successful," Jon Buzby of Special Olympics Delaware said.
"You have to roll a red ball and a white ball. It's, like, very easy," William Penn student Lucas Ernst said.
Family members and onlookers cheered from the stands. Students also encouraged the players, including WPHS senior class president Makayla Hollis.
"I feel like this is a great opportunity for everyone to experience everything together, and create fond memories of each other and the actual unified experience."
