THUNDER BAY — Special Olympians and special needs students took over the court at halftime and put on a show on Friday afternoon at Hammarskjold High School.
The students, from Hammarskjold and Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute, were celebrated as they showcased their basketball skills during a charity fundraiser for Special Olympics Ontario between the Vikings basketball team and members of the men’s and women’s teams at Lakehead University and law enforcement.
Nolan Blundon, who hit the Tigers first basket of the day, said it was a lot of fun playing for such a good cause.
“Today was a very good day for me because I get to come here and play basketball and try to score a lot of points,” he said.
“I think what it meant to me is everyone was cheering out loud and (then there was) all of the excitement that was going on. It’s good to raise money for Special Olympics.”
Kyllie Daniar, a teacher in the special needs program at Westgate, said the annual charity event, that also involved students from several local elementary schools helping to raise money for Special Olympics, money which is used to fund programming in Thunder Bay and ensure athletes can travel to out-of-town events.
“Typically, every year we pull in a couple thousand dollars and it’s between bake sales by the elementary schools and ticket sales from our families and the schools.”
It’s a great cause, she added.
“In a couple of weeks, Hammarskjold and Westgate are taking athletes to compete in the school provincial athletic games, which is held in Kingston, Ont. So any exposure they can have, in and outside of the school for Special O activities, is really important for our kids.”
For at least a couple of the athletes on the LU side, it was a homecoming of sorts.
Guard Hana Whalen and forward Sara Azzolini both graduated from Hammarskjold before moving on to the Thunderwolves.
Azzolini said she was happy to lend her skills to the event.
“It means a lot to me, especially back at my old school, being able to play for them. And I’m super-excited for the halftime show,” the soon-to-be sophomore said. “I’ve got some buddies on the other team and I will not live it down if (we don’t win).
Azzolini did her part, hitting an early three-pointer for the Thunderwolves and law enforcement squad.
The 2023 Special Olympics Ontario School Championships takes place from June 6-8.
