This fall, I started reaching out to college rowing coaches in hopes of continuing to pursue one of my passions at the next level when I graduate next year. In an email I received from one coach, there was a link at the bottom that brought me to a video about a partnership between their rowing team and Special Olympics that brought Special Olympics athletes to their boathouse and introduced them to the sport of rowing. As soon as I watched this video, I knew that I had to start a similar program here at Tabor.
Rowing and Special Olympics are two of my greatest passions and the idea of starting a program at Tabor that would combine the two of them really excited me. I started working with students and athletes with intellectual disabilities back in the fifth grade and have been a member of the Special Olympics Club at Tabor since freshman year. This year, I was proud to became a board member for the club. When I took up rowing my freshman year, I was doing it just to try something new, little did I know the love that I would develop for the sport. Still early in my rowing career, the sport has provided me with so many amazing opportunities and experiences, and I couldn’t pass up the chance to pass on my love of the sport to others.
So, I sent the video to Mr. Cleary, our faculty club advisor, and asked if we could have a meeting about setting up a similar program here at Tabor. At the meeting, Mr. Cleary was just excited as I was to set up a new program, and he helped me come up with what I would need in order to start a program like this.
I began by reaching out to the coach at the college that originally gave me this idea. The coach was quick to respond, and he told me that their rowers actually run the program. He connected me with the two heads of the program who were extremely helpful in providing me with information and helping me come up with a schedule. I then went to Mr. Pardo, my crew coach and advisor, who shared how to schedule the rowing facilities, suggested coaches who might help supervise, and fellow rowers who might be interested in helping out.
After I had compiled all the necessary information and come up with a schedule, I met with Mr. Cleary again and we sent the idea along to Special Olympics Massachusetts. The people there were excited to have a new sport for their athletes, and sent out the info about the program to Special Olympics programs in the area. Athletes began to sign up, and on March 28 we had our first session.
The first session was supposed to be just an introductory meeting, but the athletes were so excited that they actually ended up on the rowing machines. Seeing their excitement, the same excitement that I get about the sport, made me so happy and proud to have started a program like this.
Throughout this whole process, Mr. Cleary, while being extremely helpful, has really pushed me to do things myself. Whenever I have needed him, he has been there in order to point me in the right direction and encourage me, but leaves the tasks to me. This whole process has been an incredible learning experience, and I could not be more excited to see something that I have been working on for a while finally come together at last!
Read more about Special Olympic Rowing here.
