Two teachers from San Benito High School see a need for
special-ed competition
Everybody deserves a chance to compete equally and receive
credit for his or her efforts. Which is why San Benito High School
teachers Dave Terry and Ramona Trevino are organizing the first
annual Baler Gifted Games.
The games will feature special education students from the high
school participating in a series of games, the location of which
has yet to be decided. The event will not be unlike the Special
Olympics, in that it will feature outstanding athletes
participating in structured events for glory’s sake alone.
Two teachers from San Benito High School see a need for special-ed competition
Everybody deserves a chance to compete equally and receive credit for his or her efforts. Which is why San Benito High School teachers Dave Terry and Ramona Trevino are organizing the first annual Baler Gifted Games.
The games will feature special education students from the high school participating in a series of games, the location of which has yet to be decided. The event will not be unlike the Special Olympics, in that it will feature outstanding athletes participating in structured events for glory’s sake alone.
SBHS Sports Medicine teacher Dave Terry got the students in his classes involved with helping the special education students as a means of exposing his students to different types of people.
Terry says that as a student in college at Cal State Hayward, he had the opportunity to help with the Special Olympics as a student trainer. The opportunity provided him with invaluable experience he would otherwise not have received and exposed him to some amazing individuals.
Now, at the high school, he’s trying to get his advanced sports medicine class involved with as many diverse populations as possible in the hopes of getting some of his students interested in other aspects of the profession such as adaptive physical education and physical therapy.
Terry has been working with Special Education teacher Ramona Trevino to organize the first Baler Gifted Games.
“We wanted to start putting together a competition for the special-ed kids. Something where they can compete and say ‘look what I did!”
While special-ed students are not banned from participating in regular athletics, many, because of their mental or physical restraints are not able to participate. SBHS Principal Debbie Padilla was supportive of offering these kids such an event.
“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for all the students who don’t get the chance to participate in formal athletics to work with other students and open everyone’s eyes about working in general,” Padilla said.
Some of Terry’s students were a little apprehensive about working with the special-education students at first, but they quickly came around.
“One of my students from last semester came back to me and said, ‘I had no idea; my worst day is like their best day.’ The relationship really helps people grow up.”
As part of the relationship that has developed between the special education department and Terry’s class, where it was once a one-sided relationship the scales have adjusted.
Senior Vinnie Sardam said it’s been a cool experience being in the class and working with the special ed students because it’s a different type of experience.
“They’re not afraid to open up to you,” he said.
John Crepeau, another student in the class agreed.
“The games are great, because it gives these guys an opportunity to get involved with something that’s just for them,” he said.
Briana Davis agreed with her classmates that the event is a good idea for these students. She said that they should have something that belongs to them that they can take with them when they graduate.
Trevino and Terry have been working with Kim Neander and the other special education teachers and para-professionals to put the event together. Though they are still in the planning stages of the event, they’re hoping that they can get support from the community.
“We haven’t finalized the details yet, but we know we’re going to hold it in May,” Terry said. “Hopefully at a time when the parents can be here too, probably around midday.”
As details are decided upon, Terry said he will pass them along to the community.
The ultimate goal is possibly next year or the year after that to have a competition between Morgan Hill, Gilroy, and Hollister, possibly even Salinas.
“We didn’t want to do that this year, because we didn’t want to get too big too fast, because you’re likelier to fail that way,” Terry said.
