Journal staff
A team of exceptional students from Alexander Mackenzie Secondary School in Sarnia is heading to the 2023 Special Olympics Ontario School Championships next week.
The team, comprised of athletes with intellectual disabilities, earned their ticket to the June 6-8 event after winning the basketball qualifier event earlier this year.
“I’m very proud of these student athletes and how hard they have worked to get here,” said Sarah Hotke, AMSS teacher and head coach. “Their confidence is a result of the specialized programming they receive at AMSS that capitalizes and strengthens their individual skill set.”
The students are part of the Alternative Learning and Life Skills Program (ALLP) and the Academics Based on Life Experiences Program (ABLE) at AMSS.
Hotke pointed to community partners Main Street Credit Union Sarnia, Bluecoast Realty and J & J Wilson, for supporting the athletes.
“Their generosity gave us the ability to purchase new jerseys and warm up shirts.”
Special Olympics Ontario Secondary School program offers valuable competition opportunities for student athletes aged 13-21 in five sports: basketball, soccer, bocce, floor hockey, and virtual track & field.
The Provincial School Championship, to be held at Queen’s University in Kingston,
will bring together more than 1,000 athletes from secondary schools across Ontario.