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Knitting for special competitors
Heather M. Smith
Staff writer
Beginning in November, staff members from Wyatt Elementary have worked to knit scarves for the athletes participating in the 2009 Special Olympics world winter games. The World Winter Games aim to give a handmade scarf to each athlete, the delegates supporting them and various dignitaries who will be visiting the Games.
This year’s winter games will begin on Feb. 7 in Boise, Idaho and will include nearly 2,500 athletes from more than 100 countries. Eligible athletes must be at least eight years old. They must also be identified by an agency or professional as having one of the following conditions: intellectual disability, cognitive delays as measured by formal assessment, or significant learning or vocational problems due to cognitive delay that have required specially designed instruction.
During competition, athletes are divided into categories based on gender, age, and ability level. Special Olympics activities reflect the values, standards, traditions, ceremonies, and events embodied in the modern Olympics. The First International Special Olympics games were in 1968 and held at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Debby Moilanen, principal of Wyatt Elementary School, said she was inspired by her church group, who was also knitting scarves for the athletes.
“I thought it would be a great project that the staff would want to be involved in,” Moilanen said. “The staff was interested when I pitched the idea to them; everyone got into it.”
Twelve staff members from Wyatt worked on the 16 scarves for the athletes. Some of the knitters were experienced, but most had never knitted before tackling this project. Moilanen said she hadn’t knitted in about 30 years when she began working on her scarf over the holiday break. She said she worked for 10 straight hours, while traveling during the holiday, to finish her scarf. The scarves, which had to be blue and white to match the Special Olympics logo, must reach the headquarters by Jan. 15.
Special education assistant at Wyatt, Figen Koyuncu, worked to knit four scarves for the athletes. She said she wanted to show the athletes her support because she cares about them and her students.
“I really feel like special education kids all have different challenges and with the right resources and support, they can improve themselves and learn,” Koyuncu said. “My students teach me something everyday; they teach me to slow down and be patient.”
Koyuncu, who moved from Turkey to the United States15 years ago, plans to go back to school for her teaching degree. Once she has graduated she wants to continue to work with special education students.
“Their world is so innocent,” Koyuncu said. “I just click with them.”
Koyuncu said she was able to knit four scarves because she learned to knit at a young age. She also brought two scarves that her friend knitted.
“I would definitely do this again,” Moilanen said. “We were proud of ourselves; it’s a great feeling to know that those kids will receive handmade scarves from people who support them.”
For information about the Special Olympics visit www.specialolympics.org.
Contact Heather Smith at HSmith@acnpapers.com.
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