A Youth Perspective on the Special Olympics' Youth Activation Summit (YAS)

By Guest Bloggers Brianna Blackshire, an incoming freshman at Bradley University, and Brad Efune, an incoming freshman at the University of Arizona in Tucson

As the flame went out on the torch in Lincoln, Nebraska, signaling the end of the 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games, a new energy was ignited.

The Youth Activation Summit (YAS), which was part of the 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games, and took place July 18 - July 23, encouraged youth leaders with and without intellectual disabilities to incorporate social justice into their communities and schools in order to foster equality for individuals with and without intellectual disabilities. 

The Summit was based around a series of 14 interactive sessions, each signifying a step towards reaching our main goal of social justice. Youth Activation Committee members came together as agents of change, motivated to educate and activate youth, who were ready to bring the ideals of Special Olympics to their neighboring schools and communities. Sessions, covering topics such as working together with adults, ways to motivate and activate groups to improve their initiatives and analyzing the past to improve the future, were part of the movement.

In attending the conference, each participant made a commitment to bring social justice back to his or her community and gained both leadership and communication skills. For example, students learned how to effectively talk to their school administrators and network with individuals in the community, who can help achieve social justice. 

Guest speakers were also invited to provide commentary and advice to participants of the YAS. Dr. Charles Haynes, a First Amendment scholar, spoke about his take on social justice and ways to achieve it through Special Olympics. He discussed his experience with the First Amendment and related it to equal rights for those with and without intellectual disabilities.

Other speakers at the conference included Anderson Williams, an educational consultant, who spoke about the "Dos and Don’ts" of adults and youth working together. Mr. Williams said, “Although this movement may seem small right now, in a few years it will be one of the largest social justice movements of all time.” Both speakers gave their perspective of social justice from an educator’s point of view. They helped build communications skills that students can rely upon when trying to bring Special Olympics to their communities. 

The Summit included various fun and engaging activities. On Thursday, youth went to Gallup University where they had the opportunity to learn about their personal strengths and how to utilize them in the most effective manner. That same day, there was also a Luau BBQ for the participants of the Summit. The YAS taught student leaders to use Special Olympics and sport as an avenue of social change in their classrooms and communities and how to activate others in their movement towards social justice.

Finally on day three of the conference, a special guest speaker, Sara Wolff, spoke about her experience with Special Olympics and inclusion in the community, as well as how she is determined to promote both. Sara has Down syndrome, and for many years, struggled to find her place in society; but with a persistent positive attitude and strong work ethic, she has blossomed into a self-confident, engaging and popular young woman and a highly demanded motivational speaker.

At the conclusion of the event, YAS attendees were charged with broadening the reach of Special Olympics by incorporating individuals with and without disabilities into their communities and developing inclusive school atmospheres. It was an informative and empowering event, and one we believe, like Mr. Williams said, will help our movement become one of the largest social justice movements of all time.

Brianna Blackshire, 18, of Chicago, IL, will be an incoming freshman at Bradley University, majoring in Social Work and Psychology. She is interning with Special Olympics International Project UNIFY in the communications department. She volunteered with Special Olympics for five years and helped launched the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign at her high school.

Brad Efune, 18, of Scottsdale, AZ, is an incoming freshman at the University of Arizona in Tucson. He has been a summer intern in Washington, D.C. at Special Olympics International for the past two months, founded the Arizona Youth Activation Committee and has been volunteering with Special Olympics for five years. 

Comments

[Gavin S.]

To whom it may concern,

I'm very interested in volunteering for the next special Olympics held in Tucson. If you have a list of events in Tucson for which I can volunteer my services, please let me know. If you have a schedule, I would appreciate it!

Thank you.

[Ronny Jones]

Congrats Brad! This is your buddy Ronny Jones. I will help my school district get more involved in Special Olympics. Maybe I will see you at the triathon.

[Ryan]

Hi Gavin. Please reach out to Special Olympics Arizona at www.soaz.org or contact their communications director, Angela Kelley, Angela@SpecialOlympicsArizona.org or 602-324-5670.

Thanks!