SEBASTIAN — Over the course of the school year, two classes at Sebastian River Middle School have befriended a gold medalist Paralympian who is now preparing for the Summer Olympics in London. Recently, the students finally got to speak face-to-face over the Internet with Paralympian Jerome Singleton, who shared his message to the classes – find your passion and never give up.
Heather Gaudio’s 7th grade class paired with Alissa Wright’s 6th grade class to participate in the Classroom Champions program, a program that partners Olympians and Paralympians with schools to serve as role models and inspiration.
“How you all doing?” asked Singleton as his image came up on the overhead screen at the front of Gaudio’s classroom.
The 40 students sat hushed on the floor, knowing that if they talked, they’d miss out on the conversation with their athletic friend.
The students peppered Singleton with questions – how hard was it to get to the Paralympics? Why running? Why speak to kids? What’s it like to represent the USA in the Paralympics and how does it feel to win a medal?
“That was really amazing,” 12-year-old Hannah Richardson said after the class signed off from its video chat with Singleton. “Not everyone gets to talk to someone in the Olympics.”
“It was mind-blowing,” Mace Wilson, 12, said of the experience. For her, the biggest take-away from the discussion with Singleton was to never stop trying, never give up.
Singleton lost his right leg as a toddler. Having been born without a fibula, doctors amputated the leg below the knee.
He said, growing up, he participated in his life just like anyone else would.
“The term ‘abled body’ didn’t come up until I was older,” Singleton said.
He played junior varsity and varsity football and track in high school and went on to play on the track and field team in college – all the while studying mathematics, applied physics and engineering.
Singleton stressed the importance of putting academics ahead of athletics, a sentiment shared by Gaudio and Wright.
“We find you so inspirational,” Wright said, addressing Singleton through the web camera.
Singleton tried out for the National Team in 2006 but didn’t quite make the cut, he told the class – the team is the precursor to making it to the Olympics. In 2007, though, he made it and traveled to Beijing for the 2008 Summer Paralympics.
He brought home the gold medal in the men’s 4×100-meter relay and a silver in the men’s 100 meters.
“It takes a lot of hard work and determination,” Singleton told the class. “I didn’t just show up.”
Having won a gold and silver in 2008, Singleton said he has to work even harder for the 2012 games.
“Now I’m not the underdog,” he said. “I’ve got the target.”
Gaudio and Wright’s classes have been trading videos with Singleton throughout the year, each month’s video representing a different class and life lesson, including bullying and civics.
The students’ exposure to someone with a physical challenge, such as Singleton, could help in opening their eyes and minds to those who are different.
“Just because someone is different, doesn’t mean you’re better than them,” Wright said. “It makes you (and them) unique.”
Assistant Principal Roxanne Decker, whose son is in Gaudio’s class, said Austin came home from school often talking about the lessons with Singleton.
“He’s proud of being a part of it,” Decker said. Singleton “isn’t an everyday role model.”
Decker said, as a school administrator, the Classroom Champions program shows how schools can use modern technology in the 21st Century – a goal of the School District’s administration as well.
But, she said, it would not have been possible for Sebastian River Middle School to have participated if not for Gaudio and Wright, who went above and beyond to get the program here.
Both teachers independently had applied to the program, and though only one was chosen, the teachers agreed to merge their fourth period Language Arts and Reading classes so both sets of students could participate.
“I think it was fun for us to collaborate,” Wright said.
Gaudio agreed, adding that the program brought the teachers together professionally, which led to a friendship that might not otherwise have happened.
For 13-year-old Jordan Snow, the thing she will remember most is Singleton’s greatest message – “If it’s your passion, go for it,” she said.
The 2012 Summer Paralympic Games will be held in London from Aug. 29 through Sept. 9. For more information about the Games, visit www.London2012.com/paralympics.