Special Olympics Chairman Joins Cedar Lane School Athletes for Challenge Day 2017

May 31st, 2017

Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver on June 2 joined Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) Acting Superintendent Michael J. Martirano and representatives from the Cedar Lane School, Special Olympics Howard County and the Howard County Police Department for the school’s 2017 Challenge Day. Photos from the event are available in this HCPSS Flickr album.

The event was held at the Cedar Lane School in Fulton and included an official partnership signing between HCPSS and Special Olympics Howard County (SOHO) to promote the life changing benefits of participating in sports training and competition programs.

Challenge Day is an annual event full of activities and athletic challenges for the students of Cedar Lane School. It is the culmination of the Motor Activity Training Program (MATP), provided at Cedar Lane School during the school year. MATP is conducted by physical and occupational therapists, physical educators, classroom teachers and paraprofessionals while working on the movement goals of each student. Challenge Day is students’ opportunity to demonstrate the skills they’ve developed.

All Cedar Lane School students were given an opportunity to compete in the many activities featured during the event. Participating students utilized their skills with any equipment and/or assistance needed.

Volunteers from several organizations throughout Howard County were at Challenge Day to support students and assist with activities. Officers from the Howard County Police Department were on hand to present awards to the students.

Under the terms of the partnership agreement, SOHO will donate to and support Cedar Lane’s Challenge Day each year by providing equipment for MATP, athlete shirts, ribbons and medals, and volunteers. SOHO will offer professional development support by providing information about SOHO programs to HCPSS Special Education teachers and sharing adapted physical education techniques. SOHO will share information about the opportunities Special Olympics offers to students aging out of HCPSS programs and will offer opportunities for Cedar Lane School MATP participants to compete in Special Olympics Maryland state games.

For more information about Special Olympics Howard County, contact Diane Mikulis, public relations director, at dianemikulis@verizon.net.