Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Downers Grove South teacher Kevin Ahrens credits a friendship from his days at Lyons Township High School for setting into motion his career as a special needs educator.
A high school friendship changed the course of Kevin Ahrens’ life. Ahrens played varsity baseball while a student at Lyons Township High School. His coach, Terry Sullivan, asked him to help the team’s manager, a student with special needs, learn some tasks, such as how to organize baseballs and where to store equipment. That partnership blossomed into a friendship that shaped Ahrens’ career as a special needs teacher at Downers Grove South High School. On St. Patrick’s Day, Ahrens, now a coach himself, led the DGS Special Olympics basketball team to victory at the state championship. “It was a magical year,” said Ahrens, of La Grange, who began coaching the team this fall. Every single player got to play for at least part of each game …
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
The 12-member team was celebrated after school Wednesday, just a few days after they won the Special Olympics Illinois State Basketball Tournament in Bloomington-Normal.
The Downers Grove South community came together in full force Wednesday to celebrate a crowning achievement for the school—a state title for its Special Olympics basketball program. The 12-member team wrapped up a 21-6 season by winning the championship at the Special Olympics Illinois State Basketball Tournament on March 17 at the Illinois State University campus in Bloomington-Normal. On Wednesday, the school held an after-school celebration to toast the team and present the players with championship T-shirts. The team's coach, Kevin Ahrens, said the players' positive attitudes and "team-first approach" led them to the state title. "It was a magical year where everything just fell into place," Ahrens said, fighting back tears. "I'm …
Monday, April 18, 2011
Special Olympic Soccer Teams from Northeast Illinois tried to qualify on Sunday for the State Championship.
Neither wind nor unseasonably chilly temperatures thwarted the attempts of more than 30 Special Olympic soccer teams from northeast Illinois as they competed Sunday to qualify for one of nine spots at the upcoming state championship games. More than 250 athletes filtered on and off four soccer fields at Hinsdale South from early morning to late afternoon. Special Olympics Area Director Katie Grisham and Hinsdale South Coach Kathy Craig commented that the weather wasn’t a deterrent to the players’ enthusiasm. The players stayed warm in their buses until it was time to take the field. The line in the concessions house was deep as hot beverages and food sold continuously. “Because this is a turf field, we would’ve held the tournament even in…
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Hinsdale South High School
7401 Clarendon Hills Rd, Darien, IL
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Friday, March 18, 2011
Bridget Brown speaks out for people with disabilities, and now she's spreading her message of respect on the big screen with a role in an upcoming Miley Cyrus movie.
The first day of school is a universally nerve-wracking milestone. But when Bridget Brown started kindergarten at Mark DeLay School nearly 20 years ago, it was a first not only for her but for the school, too. Brown, who turns 25 next week, was the first student with Down syndrome to be integrated into Darien School District 61. That monumental day was just the beginning of what has become her life’s work — paving the way for people with disabilities through both her actions and words. This Darien native's message of hope and perseverance resonated with Hollywood. She was tapped last year for a featured role in LOL, a soon-to-be-released movie starring Miley Cyrus. But Brown began fighting for the rights of people with disabilities long …
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
From "Pots and Pans" to "Windex," there is time for every child to shine in 10-year-old hoops program.
Dribble. Swoosh. Clang. The sounds of children playing with basketballs in the gymnasium are an unmistakeable clue to a bit of hoop-la. Yes, the Hinsdale South Special Olympics basketball season has tipped off again. Practice began Monday. And, once again, the program will serve about 40 athletes who will be split into three teams for competition over the next three to four months. The teams are scheduled to play their first games on Nov. 13 against Oak Park-River Forest. Last season, all three Hinsdale South teams advanced to the state championships. The program allows those with intellectual disabilities or cognitive delays as determined by their individualized education programs (IEPs) an opportunity to have fun, develop skills and …
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Hinsdale South High School
7401 Clarendon Hills Rd, Darien, IL
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Liz layden
2:14 pm on Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Way to go mustangs and coach Kevin!! So proud of you-- the kids at DGS are lucky to have you!!!! more ›