COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, October 15, 2021 • 23
COMMUNITY SPORTS WHS senior wins spot in Special Olympics USA Games School honored for Unified Sports programs By Cindy Zomar Education Coordinator WESTBOROUGH - Westborough High School senior Shinya Honji was recently selected to represent Massachusetts in the swimming portion of the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games to be held in Orlando, Florida next summer. As he and his school community celebrate this accomplishment, though, they’re also celebrating another major milestone, as Westborough High School (WHS) recently became one of only fifteen high schools in the country to be named both a Unified Champion School and a National Banner School. That latter designation commends the school’s abil-
Shinya Honji is a senior at Westborough High School who was recently selected to participate in the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games.
PHOTO/CINDY ZOMAR
ity to bring together students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities in team events and programs to foster leadership, respect and dignity. “Westborough High School
Serving the Community since 1980.
Full Service Tree Removal Company Fast Free Estimates All Communication Done Remotely
Crane Service Available Expert Hand Climbing Crews Removals Pruning Stump Grinding Cabling Fully Insured Workman’s Comp 508-366-7693 / 508-839-5961 www.templemantree.com owner Steve Stratton
has continually provided a socially inclusive climate, one where there is whole school engagement,” said Patti Doherty, Vice President of Schools and Community Development for Special Olympics.
WHS unified sports program grows Catherine Caruso has been the unified sports coach for WHS since 2017. The school initially partnered with Algonquin for its unified track and field program. It split to form its own program for the 2018-2019 year, though, Caruso said. Westborough High launched an additional strength and conditioning program last year. Caruso said she’s now hoping participation will pick up after a pilot year limited by pandemic restrictions. WHS student named to 2022 USA Games team WHS Principal, Brian Callaghan, explained that while a typical student participat-
. x a l e R
Cabin Fever? Let Us Create Your Dream Outdoor Living Space, And......
508-842-7110 508-835-2020 mccarthyslandscaping.com
• Walls • Patios • Sidewalks • Fire Pits • Ponds • Walkways • Wood Fired Pizza Ovens
ing in sports may encounter some issues, a student with intellectual and developmental disabilities must overcome a whole different set of challenges. That’s been the case for Shinya Honji as he has worked to earn his spot in the USA Games. “Shinya just keeps overcoming obstacles,” Shinya’s mother, Beth said. “He was really sick a month after birth, resulting in a feeding tube for three years. In third grade he tore his ACL and was in a leg brace for years. Growth hormone shots caused scoliosis, forcing a back brace at night. He didn’t walk until he was two, nor talk until he was five, and yet here he is, graduating Special Olympics | 24
It’s okay to look at the past… but don’t stare at it too long.
~Joyce Meyer
Brought to you as a community service by Robert J. Terkanian ~ ad design by Ellen Bishop, Community Advocate art dept.
GOLD SILVER Buy - Sell - Loan
• ELECTROLYSIS
2021 Silver Eagles are in!
• AESTHETICS
• LASER HAIR REMOVAL LAUREN DAVID, R.E. LOCATED INSIDE NORTHBOROUGH MEDICAL CENTER 112 MAIN ST · SUITE 101 · NORTHBOROUGH 508-393-2517 · LUXEELECTROLOGY.COM
VOTED #1 IN THE “2020 BEST OF CENTRAL MA” SPA CATEGORY”
TRADING Your Friendly Full Service Pawnbroker
9:30 - 3, Saturday to 2 109 Main St. Hudson 978.562.1068 hudsonpawnbrokers.com
