Benedictine Going Strong with Special Olympics: The Chairman Visits
From left: Susan Hirshberg, Benedictine parent; Sr. Jeannette; Tim Shriver; Nancy McCloy, Benedictine’s Educational Director; and Dixie Hughlett, recently retired Director of Benedictine’s Open Community Program. |
Benedictine has been closely involved with Special Olympics for many years, and today the bond is stronger than ever. Founded in 1968, Special Olympics International today serves 2.5 million athletes and their families in more than 180 countries. It has transformed from a sporting event for individuals with disabilities into a movement that focuses on acceptance, inclusion, and respect for special people from around the world.
Celebrating our 50th anniversary as a pioneer in the care and education of children and adults with special needs, it is fitting to recognize our involvement with the world’s highest profile organization that benefits people with mental, emotional, and physical disabilities. Sister Jeannette explained why. “Our mission and the mission of Special Olympics are the same: to bring out the full potential of these special kids who need and deserve special care, but weren’t getting it; to give them an opportunity to achieve dignity through accomplishment; and to raise awareness of their value to the world.”
|
Chairman of Special Olympics International Visits Benedictine
Special Olympics chair Dr. Timothy Shriver, introduced by Benedictine Parent Susan Hirshberg, recently visited the School, met with Sister Jeannette and staff members, and took a tour.
He is the son of Sargent Shriver, former U.S. Ambassador to France and Vice-presidential candidate, and Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the sister of John, Robert, and Edward Kennedy and the founder of Special Olympics. The Benedictine School’s Educational Director Nancy McCloy commented, “He is truly a man of inclusion for all individuals … and spoke of Special Olympics as not just a disabilities sporting event but a forum for learning and practicing interpersonal skills that would help foster full participation in the community.”
Dr. Shriver is a graduate of Yale University and holds a master's degree in Religion and Religious Education from Catholic University of America, a Ph.D. in education from the University of Connecticut, and numerous honorary degrees. As part of his passion for promoting the gifts of the forgotten, he has harnessed the power of Hollywood to share the stories of inspiration and change. Nancy McCloy continued, “Dr. Shriver is both a symbol and promoter of well-being for all the individuals we are gifted to know, love, and mutually learn from in our daily interactions.”
Sister Jeannette is extremely pleased to announce that Dr. Shriver has agreed to serve as keynote speaker at Benedictine’s 50th Anniversary Spring Benefit Gala, to be held April 25, 2009, at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay in Cambridge. “We are deeply blessed and very excited to be addressed by a man of such stature in the special needs community, the CEO of the world’s leading organization of advocacy for us, Special Olympics. His personal perspective and inspirational work will add immeasurably to our celebration!”