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Life on Himes Lazaro Alvelaez ’18 (left) and Oscar Lopez ’20 with a Special Olympics athlete Special Olympics at Jesuit O The Dads’ Club brings the wonderful event to campus again T he Jesuit Dads’ Club and Special Olympics Florida–Hillsborough County came together once again this year to produce something truly special at Jesuit High School on March 25. More than 600 athletes, and hordes of enthusiastic supporters and volunteers – including hundreds of Jesuit student volunteers – enjoyed an exhilarating day of competition as Jesuit hosted Special Olympics Florida’s 2017 Area 8 Summer Games. The Dads’ Club has been engaged with the Special Olympics for 17 years, and last year, for the fi rst time, the Games were hosted by Jesuit after years at the University of South Florida. The 2016 inaugural event at Jesuit was marred by rain, but this year the skies were brilliant and months of planning came to fruition. Athletes representing Hillsborough and Polk Counties marched around the Corral Memorial Stadium track during the Parade of Champions to begin the day. The Opening Ceremonies included the Special Olympics presenting an award to the Dads’ Club (which was accepted by president John Mace, P ’17) for “sincere appreciation for your commitment and support of the athletes of the Special Olympics.” The competition included track & fi eld, soccer, bocce, tennis (at Hillsborough Community College), volleyball, and cycling (at St. Lawrence Catholic School). The Olympic Village in the Student Commons was fi lled with games/activities and bustling all day, and hungry athletes headed to the cafeteria where Blake Casper ’91, CEO of Caspers Company, had provided lunch for everyone via the company’s McDonald’s restaurants. Supported by scores of Jesuit students and several other volunteer organizations, the event was considered a major success, and the Dads’ Club hopes to continue hosting the Special Olympics for many years. Among the dozens of Dads’ Club members whose tireless efforts made this all possible are Ken Roop, P ’13, ’17, the Dads’ Club Chair for hosting Special Olympics the past two years; Kevin O’Brien ’81, Duane Bishoff, P ’02, ’06, and Mike Crochet, P ’07, who have been involved with the Special Olympics for more than a decade; and Mike Sweet, P ’16, ’19, and John Bennett P ’18. Scan to view a Bay News 9 segment about the Special Olympics at Jesuit 6 JESUIT PERSPECTIVES • SPRING 2017


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