It was a glorious day in March at Peninsula High School on
the Palos Verdes Peninsula. More than 50 students with special needs — joined
by 30 other high school students — participated in a Special Olympics track
meet, where everybody was a winner.

“For students with special needs, it was a moment to shine,”
recalls Patrick Daley, a PE teacher and member of the Palos Verdes Faculty
Association (PVFA), who coordinated the event with special education teacher
Betsy Fujinaga and adapted physical education teacher Melissa DeCasas, also PVFA
members. “It was a beautiful day of bear hugs and smiles. It was fun not only
for the kids, but for parents and family members in the crowd. I loved seeing
how proud parents were of their children.”

But the celebration, which included students from Peninsula
High and Palos Verdes High School, was bittersweet. The day before, Education
Secretary Betsy DeVos had proposed eliminating all funding for Special
Olympics, insisting it should be paid for through donations. DeVos faced
scathing criticism by members of Congress at a hearing that drew widespread
attention, eliciting strong support for Special Olympics nationwide.

Eventually President Trump said he had “overridden” his own
people and would continue the funding, and DeVos backpedaled.

Daley was furious that the education secretary sought to
remove funding from a population so deserving.

“It was surreal to have this proposed the day before our
Special Olympics event,” he shares. “When I heard what she proposed, I didn’t
want to cuss, but I was appalled, sad and disgusted. A House member asked DeVos
how many students would be affected, and she said she had no numbers. It was
very disheartening.”

The next day, he decided to shake it off and focus on the
competitions and the athletes. Things went amazingly smoothly.

“It brought the entire school community together,” says
Daley. “Turnout included school board members, administrators, students and
teachers. The associate principal said it was one of the best days she’d had on
campus in the six years she’d worked here. Many teared up during the event.
There was such a sense of pride to be working at a school where something like
this happens.”

Cheerleaders from both high schools rooted for the athletes.
The marching band from Peninsula High played; the choir sang the national
anthem. Students in the PLUS (Peer Leaders Uniting Students) group Daley
advises were stationed in booths and relay sections. Students pushed fellow
students in wheelchairs down the track. Firefighters handed out awards.

Also assisting were student body officers and the school’s
Link Crew — a group of student leaders who guide freshmen during the transition
to high school and help facilitate ninth-grade success.

Peninsula High is a Special Olympics Unified Champion School
because it promotes social inclusion through planned activities. The
prestigious title was earned by educators collaborating with Melissa DeCasas.

For Daley, supporting athletic events for students with
special needs is something that’s in his blood. His grandfather founded the
Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association in Highland Park, Illinois, in
1969, and his father was a special education teacher in Compton for 20 years.

“The Special Olympics is about recognizing the abilities of
a population that often isn’t seen. Students with special needs need advocates
fighting for them to be seen, heard and accepted. An event like this allows our
students with special needs to be celebrated — and allows general education students
to get over any fear they may have of those who are different. From an event
like this, they understand that we are all human. Everyone benefits from
participating.”

He urges other educators to consider becoming involved.

“Find out when the Special Olympics is coming to your town and school. Volunteer and be a part of this. See what joy it brings to people’s lives. It will definitely change your own life.”