At Highland Park Senior High School, there are multiple options for you if you want to be involved in an after school activity. Sports are a good way for you to be involved in school activities. It is almost the spring season, so there are many different selections/options that you can choose from. Some of the options that you can choose from are: adapted bowling, baseball, boys golf, boys tennis, badminton, girls golf, softball, track and field, girls lacrosse, and boys lacrosse. Those are all of the selections you can choose from if you want to join a spring sport this year.
If you want to join a spring sport, then you can sign up by getting a registration form and having it signed by a parent or guardian. You can get the registering form from the athletic office. The requirements for joining a sport is to have your physical, which is valid for 3 years, and you have to have the registration form signed and turned in with the fee that they charge.
If you want to be able to join a sport, then you have to make sure that your grades are good enough, that you earn at least 4 credits during the first quarter, 9 credits by the end of second quarter, and 14 credits after 3rd quarter, if you want to join.
Usually, when you sign up for a sport there are certain things that you have to attend like for example games and practices.
Overall, I think that if you are interested in joining a school club or an after school activity, then you should consider joining, or join a spring sport because it would be a good way for you to meet new people and it would be a good way to find new talent.
On Friday, May 20, two Highland students placed 1st in our State Adapted Bowling Tournament in the Singles Division: Kyra Kracth and Connor O’Meara. Eyna Linn and Minh Dang came in third place.
Adaptive Bowling is a sport that helps children with disabilities, or disadvantages, participate in the sport much easier. There are many different types of equipment to help athletes, like the set up, the physical approach to the foul line, the back swing and the guided release of the ball. For an easier approach, the adaptive bowling devices have been divided into three main categories; wheelchair adaptations, bowling ball adaptations and ball rolling adaptations. Depending on the type, and severity, of the person’s disability, one or more of these devices might be necessary for them to be able to bowl.
To determine which adaptions are appropriate for each student, the following steps should be taken: evaluate each student’s present level of bowling skill for probability of success, assess previous experience, fitness level, motor functioning, attitude toward his/her disability, and willingness to participate.
photo courtesy of Nancy Galligan
I interviewed Ms. Nell, a teacher at Highland Park that specializes in helping children with disabilities, who is also coach of the Highland adapted bowling team. She told me that they prepare by, “We bowl every week practicing lining up the bowling balls onto the straight arrows.” She also explained how she has encouraging talks with her students, but she prefers to call them her kids. When I asked what was one of the hardest parts for them, Ms. Nell said it was focusing and also keeping the ball straight.
I asked how hard it was for her to coach the kids she simply said, “I’ve been doing this for years so it’s really not hard I enjoy it.” I was also curious about how her experience has been through doing this for multiple years. She replied with, “This has allowed me to see how my kids can grow in many different ways in not only this, but in many different sports.”
I also spoke a bit with the state champion Connor O’Meara he said, “It felt great.” Also, “The last time I won state champion was in 2007.”
photo courtesy of Nancy Galligan
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