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boys

The All-Inclusive Quakers!

April 18, 2019 by David Propper

The Award-Winning Wrestling Team with Compassion

Competing in wrestling meets across the region, the composition of Horace Greeley’s team is like no other.

For the last four years, the Greeley wrestling team has been inclusive where the Quakers have students with special needs practicing and competing with the team. The three students this year aren’t just managers simply helping out, but athletes that put the same work and dedication into their craft just like every other wrestler on the team. Their addition has been both incredibly rare among local wrestling circles and undeniably beneficial.

“I think it changed the culture of our team in a positive way,” head coach Mike DeBellis said. “It seemed like the kids had more compassion for each other and tried to help each other more.” DeBellis has been coaching wrestling in the district for the past 16 years and currently teaches Introduction to Engineering, Robotics and Technology, and Design Integration classes at Greeley. He was this year’s recipient of the Ed Habermann Award from the Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund’s annual gala last month for being an exemplary role model for students in the district.

Awards Abound for the Quakers

While more compassion seems to be counterintuitive in a sport where a moment of mercy could spell disaster, the results for Greeley can’t be questioned. The past two seasons, senior Nicholas Ng, junior Ho Jin Lee, and sophomore Brady McCarthy, who all are special needs students, have been part of a team that has finished in the top ten both years in all of New York State.

Captain and senior Aaron Wolk was crowned state champion for his weight class at 172 pounds. He is the third Greeley wrestler to win the state championship. Previous state championship titles by a Greeley wrestler were won in 1978 and 1995. Wolk will continue wrestling next year at Brown University. Captain and senior Matt Schreiber took fifth overall for his weight class and captain and sophomore Isabella Garcia finished second in the New York girls state championship this year.

Lee, who has Down syndrome, joined the team four years ago. McCarthy, who also has Down syndrome and Ng, who is autistic, both joined the team two years ago. The three students are able to participate because assistant coach Anthony Tortora is certified to instruct students with disabilities. (He works as a physical education teacher in the Bronx with special needs students.)

The three boys are at practice daily, going through the same grind as everyone else and occasionally compete at meets in exhibitions matches against grapplers from other schools. All three boys are also certified to wrestle.

Brady’s father, Kevin, said wrestling has given Brady a boost in confidence and allowed him to meet more classmates he wouldn’t normally get to know. When Brady performed in a school play this year, many of his teammates attended the show.

Physically, it’s been great for him, and allowed him to be part of something bigger than himself. While Brady has played other sports, a certain temperament is needed to wrestle.

“He likes competing,” Kevin said of his son. “It made him a more complete person.”

DeBellis has made it clear anyone that wants to join the team is more than welcome. DeBellis has been known to recruit students in the hallway to join the team.

“Wrestling is a unique sport in that when you do it, you’re a wrestler for the rest of your life,” DeBellis said. “No matter what happens, you’re a wrestler and it’s a totally different sport than any other sport out there.”

“Wrestling really is the only sport where it is all-inclusive,” he added.

Trio Serves as Role Models for the Team

Tortora said the inclusion of McCarthy, Lee and Ng in the program lights up the day for every other wrestler in the room.

McCarthy has even become known for his pep talks at meets and being the most passionate person cheering for teammates. He’ll sit right next to the coaches while a teammate is on the mat and repeatedly tell him, “You can do it, you can do it.” His father encourages his son to, “be there, be vocal.”

And it certainty doesn’t go unnoticed. His teammates love watching him wrestle because there’s no denying how passionate he is. When Brady gets the opportunity to shine, he puts all his effort into it.

Schreiber said he’s learned to be more patient and pay attention to every minute aspect during practice. Wrestling can be a very detailed oriented sport, he noted, which requires his three disabled teammates to focus intensely. Garcia added while wrestling can be incredibly arduous, anyone with the right mindset and desire, like McCarthy, Lee and Ng, can participate. And Wolk said he’s learned to never give up. While it might take his three disabled teammates more time to grasp a new wrestling move, their attitude is only positive and optimistic.

There are no excuses for another wrestler who’s been given the gift of able body and mind to get frustrated or complain when there are three teammates with disabilities who refuse to settle. “They always have so much energy at every practice and it is great to see,” Wolk said. “It shows the rest of the team, don’t give up.”

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: Aaron Wolk, boys, Chappaqua, compassion, Greeley wrestlers, Ho Jin, Horace Greeley High School, Inclusive, Nicholas Ng, Quakers, Special Needs, state championships, wrestling, Wrestling Team

World Cup Gymnasts Are All-Around Sliver Medalists

March 21, 2018 by The Inside Press

Binghamton, NY, March 16-18, 2018 – World Cup Gymnastics boys’ team competed this past weekend at the New York State Championship held at Chenago Valley High School in Binghamton, NY.  Over 400 gymnasts competed at this exciting event.

Level 10 boys had a great meet.   In particular graduating Senior, Miles Miller from Hartsdale, NY was the champion on Floor in the 17-18 age group with a 13.7001 and took home silver medals for Rings (13.7002), Parallel Bars (13.5002) and High Bar (13.5002).  He also was the All-Around silver medalist (80.5002). Teammate,  J.T. Basulto, also from Hartsdale, won on  Floor with a 13.3001 in the 15-16 age group and took home a silver medal for Parallel Bars (13.1002).   Although World Cup’s Level 10 Team vied for the first place title, in the end, they were proud of their third place finish.

Level 8 gymnast and National Team Member, Eli Osuna, from West Point was the champion on Rings with a 12.8001, on Parallel Bars (12.3502) and on High Bar (12.7001).  He also took home the silver All-Around medal.  “Eli tried a new vault routine at the competition and, although he didn’t nail it, we believe that true champions are those that have the guts to challenge themselves.  We applaud him for his courage,” said head coach, Jason Hebert.

Our youngest gymnast at age 7, Dylan Davenport, from Stamford, CT won Level 5 Rings with a 10.9001 and Vault (9.3001).  He also took home silver medals on Floor (10.4002) and Pommel Horse (10.7002) as well as placing fourth in the All-Around (59.0004).

“All of our gymnasts showed great focus and, moreover, demonstrated a remarkable desire to be successful.  Our Level 10 boys were especially motivated and driven and it showed in their outstanding performances.  We couldn’t be prouder of their achievements,” added Hebert.  The boys’ team now advance to the regional competitions.

World Cup Gymnastics has been training State, Regional and National Champions for over 25 years.  It is deemed one of the most revered recreational and competitive gymnastics programs in the state offering mommy and me classes for infants, pre-school gymnastics, school-age recreational gymnastics, tumbling for cheerleaders and competitive teams.   For more information, please call 914-238-4967 or visit www.worldcupgymnastics.com.

Filed Under: Lifestyles with our Sponsors Tagged With: Athletes, boys, Gymnastics, World Cup, World Cup Gymnastics

A Greeley Team Boost for ‘Swim Team the Film’

March 8, 2018 by The Inside Press

Greeley Boys Swim & Dive Team

In celebration of community and National Inclusive Schools Week, the Greeley Boys Swim & Dive Team in conjunction with the Greeley PTA Special Ed Committee and the Chappaqua PTA Special Ed Committee presented the documentary Swim Team the Film, with a panel discussion and Q&A following the screening. The Boys & Girls Swim & Dive Team coordinated a preshow bake sale. All proceeds from the bake sale and voluntary donations for admission to the screening were donated to YAI, an organization that helps people of all ages with disabilities.

The post film discussion was moderated by Rev. Martha Jacobs and included Lara Stolman, the film’s producer/director, Kathy Schiavi, YAI’s director, Jason Gold, Clinical Psychologist & Psychoanlyst, and Mike DeBellis, Greeley Teacher and Coach of the inclusive boys wrestling team. The Swim Team presented Kathy Schiavi a check for $600 which they raised for YAI.

Swim Team the Film will be shown at the Chappaqua Library on Friday, April 20th at 7 p.m. with a Q&A following the screening by producer/director Lara Stolman. There will be no admission charge. For more information, please contact Denise Hanchet at hanchet@verizon.net.

Filed Under: Chappaqua Community Tagged With: boys, film, Greeley students, Horace Greeley High School, swim team, Swim Team The Film

Help for boys who have trouble making friends

May 28, 2013 by The Inside Press

boysAll children deserve to have friends. Friendships are an important part of life and a key to happiness. If you know a child who struggles socially then he would be a great candidate for the Where I Can Be Me® social skills program. It is the safe place where your son is guaranteed to have fun learning to make friends and maintain relationships – or I will give you all of your money back!

It doesn’t matter if your son needs a little help or a lot, my unique placement process makes sure he will be with peers who are a good match for both learning and making friends with!

“Conner loves coming each week to see his friends and play in class. His socialization skills are improving particularly engaging in conversation exchanges and listening, asking questions appropriate to the topic.”
Maureen Pleasantville, N.Y.

You will never have to worry about your son being grouped with children who are either too advanced or not advanced enough. This is important because children learn from modeling the behavior of others. That is why I will carefully evaluate your child’s strengths and needs to make sure he gets to join a group of children who will help bring out his fullest potential.

What’s more is that you can rest easy knowing that you are not risking a dime. If at any time before the start of your son’s 5th class you decide you are not absolutely thrilled with the program I will give you all of your money back, without hassle – guaranteed.

If this sounds like something that would benefit your child then I encourage you to request more free information now. You may do so by calling 914.243.1118, or my tollfree, hassle-free, 24hr recorded message information hotline 1.866.380.8340, or by visiting www.SocialSkillsWestchester.com Speak to you soon, Isa Marrs

 

Filed Under: Special Needs Tagged With: boys, friendship

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