Friday, June 10, 2011
Publication: George School
NEWTOWN, PA
NEWTOWN, PA—The George School campus will be the site of a weekend-long program for special needs athletes from Friday, June 17, to Sunday June 19, when The Miracle League of Northampton Township holds its first Softball Festival. The event is one of several projects through which George School has collaborated with the Miracle League, an organization that provides opportunities for individuals with mental and physical disabilities to participate in sports.
Approximately seventy-five Miracle League athletes are expected to participate in the festival. Along with various softball competitions, a movie under the stars, an ice cream social, a dance, and recreational swimming, the weekend will include elements inspired by the Olympics—opening and closing ceremonies and a festival village.
Local community members are invited to support the event by cheering on the athletes at games, participating in a parade at Friday’s 7:30 p.m. opening ceremonies, or attending other parts of the event. A full schedule will be posted on the Miracle League’s website at http://www.miracleleaguenhpa.org.
“It is the only weekend-long event of its kind in the area, and we expect that it will grow in years to come,” said Debbi Katz of the Miracle League. “The event offers the chance for special needs athletes to compete and experience a weekend with their friends, learning social and life skills in a safe environment.”
Along with parents and volunteers in the local community, George School administrators and faculty contributed to the year-long planning of the event. In addition, 2011 graduates Paul Kim, Dan Kolbman, and Kevin Simone completed service projects with the Miracle League during the school year. The festival’s opening ceremony will include a video created by Paul with help from Dan, who also worked to publicize the event. Head of School Nancy Starmer will speak at the closing ceremony on Sunday.
George School’s work with the Miracle League has also included softball clinics and a dance in January where George School students and Miracle League athletes got to know each other.
“I decided to get involved in Miracle League because of my love of softball and making the sport attainable to anyone who has a passion for the game,” said George School softball coach and science teacher Kathy Coyle, who hosted two softball clinics for Miracle League athletes. “The athletes of Miracle League are inspiring and remind us how anything can be accomplished through hard work and dedication.”
To learn more about how to get involved with the Miracle League, call 484-654-6115 or email info@miracleleaguenhpa.org.
About George School
Founded in 1893 by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), George School, a rigorous coed boarding and day school for grades nine through twelve, educates students from twenty-one states, thirty-seven foreign countries, and a variety of ethnic, racial, religious, and economic backgrounds. Through its commitment to diversity and the Quaker values of equality, integrity, and peacemaking, George School inspires students to be led by their own truths while respecting and appreciating opinions and beliefs different from their own. George School was one of the first schools in the United States to implement an International Baccalaureate diploma program. For information about admission, please call 215-579-6547 or visit http://www.georgeschool.org.