MICHAEL FOSBERG Actor and professor Michael Sidney Fosberg has spent the last several years delivering a very important message about race. At age 34, he discovered that his biological father was African-American. The journey this discovery led him on was life-changing and self-affirming. He talked about his struggle of feeling both exhilarated and confused by the news of his extended family. Michael’s humorous yet dramatic presentation dealt with serious issues and inspired the Suffield community to think about topics related to race, identity, stereotypes, adoption, and divorce. “We should come to love all of our identities,” said Michael. “I’m trying to get people of all ages to think and talk about these issues and not be afraid to do it.”
SPECIAL OLY MPICS CONNECTICUT Marc Mercadante, senior director of Community Impact at Special Olympics Connecticut (SOCT), spoke about Suffield’s partnership with their organization. SOCT offers year-round training and competition in 27 Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Angie D’Amico, winner of the 2013 Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award and a Special Olympian, also spoke and expressed her enthusiasm for her role as global messenger for the organization. Suffield planned two SOCT events—a special half-time competition on February 13 during the Suffield boys’ basketball game, where Suffield students educated the community regarding the R-word campaign, and a Fitness Walk on April 12. Junior class organizers Callie Platt, Emma Repka, and Katie Kuzmeski invited over 100 Special Olympic athletes and their families to the Suffield campus, and are thrilled by the support from the Suffield community.
Winter / Spring 2015
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