Lions Hear About Sports Extravaganza
Christy Householter addressed the Plano Early Lions Club describing some of the programs offered by Region 10 Education Service Center. Christy has worked with visually impaired students for over 20 years. She described the annual Sports Extravaganza that is held at Nimitz High School in Irving and how the local Lions Clubs have helped make this event a success.
Christy is the vision coordinator for Region 10 Education Service Center. Students involved in all programs are Visually Impaired (VI). The 11th Annual Sports Extravaganza will be October 23-24, 2009. Some of the planned events are:
- 25, 50, and 100 Meter dashes
- 200 and 400 Meter run
- Long jump
- Shot put
- Softball and tennis ball throw
- Archery and beep baseball
Plano Early Lions Club 1st Vice President, Gordon Settle, has participated in many of the Sports Extravaganzas and described events such as the 50-yard dash. He stressed how these visually impaired students are eager to compete in various events and thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to compete.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Region 10 activities is educating VI students in things sighted students take for granted. Some of these things are independent living, recreation skills, and career education. Students learn that VI individuals are employed in various careers, even jobs in science and engineering. Students are made aware of the possibilities they have for employment. The Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students (SCI-VIS) is a good example of exposing VI students to job opportunities. This program stresses math and science. It also exposes students to space science, aviation, and related scientific subjects.
Ms Householter listed several upcoming events for VI students from Region 10. Included in the list is a field trip to Dallas Museum of Art, Goalball Tournament, and Discovery Day in Dallas Heritage Village. Lions clubs are being asked to help make these events possible by providing volunteers and or funds. Two local Lions Club Districts have been involved with these programs for several years.