Thank You, Villanova Special Olympics, For Giving Me The Best Experiences Of My Life | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Thank You, Villanova Special Olympics, For Giving Me The Best Experiences Of My Life

Nearly one year since my first Fall Festival, and I'm so grateful for everything SpO has given me.

95
Thank You, Villanova Special Olympics, For Giving Me The Best Experiences Of My Life
Sydney Benevento

Villanova University hosts the largest student-run Special Olympics event in the world every November, called the Fall Festival. Over a thousand athletes come to campus from across the state to compete in six different sports.

Villanova's campus brings together thousands of people (athletes, volunteers, coaches, and families) who all have the same goal: to spread the mission of inclusion and to make this world a more safe and accessible space for all people, no matter their ability level.

I was lucky enough to be a Local Program Host (LPH) during the fall semester of my freshman year, getting to play a fairly large role in my first Fall Fest on Villanova's campus.

I had never had experience working with Special Olympics before coming to Villanova, and I had no idea what was in store for me. It's safe to say that my experience as an LPH completely changed my life.

I met so many incredible people, both athletes, and fellow students, and I was welcomed into an entirely new community, giving me something I never knew I needed.

It is truly humbling to meet and get to work with people for a common cause, but it is life-changing to witness the love and appreciation from those who the cause is benefiting.

Getting to watch Tanya and Kristin, my two athletes from Centre County, compete in their individual volleyball skills competitions, receive their awards, and just have a blast throughout everything the weekend had to offer was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

They are both so amazing, and it means so much to me to be able to call them friends now.

The rest of the LPHs, who I had the pleasure of working with and meeting throughout the whole experience gave me some of my best friends, and I couldn't be more grateful.

You are all incredible people, and I am so honored that I had the privilege of working with you, getting to know you, and forming meaningful friendships with you. You are all my role models, and I strive to be more like each one of you every day.

After Fall Fest 2018, I finally felt as though I truly belonged at Villanova and had found my place. There's always uncertainty when moving to a new place and being surrounded by strangers, but, after that weekend, a had 102 new friendly faces that I knew would be there to lift me up.

I was lucky enough to be called on to Special Olympics Committee on my first day of classes this semester after spending last semester as an alternate. I have never been more thrilled about a phone call. I am so thrilled to have been working on the Long Distance Running and Walking competition venue for this year's Fall Fest for the past three months.

I am so proud of the work we have accomplished so far, and I can't wait to see it all come together during the weekend of the competition.

As I write this, there is less than one week until Fall Fest 2019 begins, I am reflecting on everything Special Olympics has given me over the past year. I am so incredibly thankful for the memories and love that last year's Fall Fest gave me, and I cannot wait for everything that next weekend will bring.

Thank you, Villanova Special Olympics, for giving me new friends, helping me get closer with old ones, and for giving me a cause I am truly passionate about. And thank you to all the students who have made this campus truly feel like home. No words will ever be enough to express my gratitude. ♡

Report this Content
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

445845
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

19375
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

43067
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

7 Types Of Students You Will Meet In College

You wish you could be #5, but you know you're probably a #6.

22238
cool group of lazy college students in class
StableDiffusion

There are thousands of universities around the world, and each school boasts its own traditions and slogans. Some schools pride themselves on sports, while others emphasize their research facilities. While there is a myriad of differences among each and every school, there will always these seven types of students in class.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Rhyme Without Reason Greek Life Function Ideas

When you have no ideas for what to wear to this date function

322612
A dog and a frog
Healthy Pets

I am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.

If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments