Adapted events a win-win for Modesto students, volunteers

Exercise is good for the heart and none more so than watching young athletes with extraordinary challenges give it their all.

His face a study in confusion, Gregori High basketball enthusiast Michael Ferlmann stopped several times on his way down the long jump runway, finally making a small, straight up and down hop from a dead stop at the end.

His quasi-leap made no long jump records, but staff and volunteers cheered the effort, just as they did the jump of Kareena Villarico soon after.

Villarico came flying down the runway at top speed, utter determination etched in every feature – and continued running right through the sand.

Ferlmann and Villarico were among about 250 athletes, junior high and older, competing Friday in the 12th annual Modesto City Schools Special Education Track Meet at Johansen High.

Some of the athletes will be out again May 2 at the Stanislaus Special Olympics 42nd annual area games at John F. Kennedy School in Modesto.

Organizers on Friday estimated 300 helpers pitched in to make the event happen, including North Modesto Kiwanis volunteers and high schoolers who help in special education classes.

“It’s amazing how much organizing it takes,” said Johansen Principal Nathan Schar, who said he figured roughly 50 of his students were helping out for the morning event.

“Watching the (student assistants), the able-bodied kids, watching the compassion they show – it’s just a treat,” said Kiwanis volunteer Charlie Christensen.

The club did hand out a check as well, bankrolling the volunteer event with donated T-shirts, food and $2,500 to $3,000 in funding for 250 medals and miscellaneous needs.

“The smile per dollar is rather large,” Paintedman said wryly.

Among those smiling was adapted physical education teacher Heidi Aufdermaur, who pulled the event together. “I love the fact that they can do it,” she said.

That emphasis on the “can” was what brought Bernadette Diab to watch her son Hunter, a seventh-grader, compete.

“He does love to run,” she said. “There are so many instances when he can’t be included. We jumped at it.”

Watching from the bleachers, grandmother Carolyn Erickson said she enjoyed seeing the smiles everywhere.

“A lot of the kids don’t get a chance to be out. I’m sure it’s unforgettable,” she said, calling the waves of volunteers “unsung heroes” for all their work.

Among the staff members helping out was Meg Harter, watching student racer Miracle Allen accept the first-place medal for her run. “She’s fast – faster than me,” Harter said with a grin. “I love how they put the ribbons over their heads, like in the Olympics.”

The all-Modesto meet brings together adapted physical education teachers from junior highs and high schools and all their current and former students. “It’s kind of like a big reunion,” Aufdermaur said.

“It’s just wonderful to see these kids, who look forward to it all year,” said Beyer Principal Dan Park, who came to support his student contingent.

This story was originally published April 25, 2015 at 9:57 PM with the headline "Adapted events a win-win for Modesto students, volunteers."