I had the amazing honor of joining some of my students from Codington Elementary School...also players and cheerleaders for the Challengers Football team (part of Special Olympics and Pop Warner) this past Friday night at the Hoggard High School football game in Wilmington, NC. They were special guests of the Legacy Club.

As special guests, they were invited to a tailgate party, pregame field access passes, and more. Most importantly, they were included as part of the celebration and excitement that takes place each Friday night at high schools statewide....the lights, the cheering, and parents watching proudly as their children take part in one of the rites of passage...Friday night football.

One Challenger football cheerleader got to join the Hoggard Varsity cheerleaders as they welcomed the players onto the field. Meanwhile, the boys of the Challenger team were at the gates of the field house sending the team off to a great game, wide eyed as these amazing high school boys, larger than life, literally, high-fived them as they ran past.

All of this was made possible by the amazing principal of Hoggard...who seemed like a little boy at Christmas himself as he revealed surprise after surprise to these children and their families. Additionally, the head coach of the team, and the students, players and their parents get a great big shout out for just being so super cool. Way to go Hoggard Vikings...ya'll rock!!!

You can read more about the Challengers Football team on the blog, "It Starts with a Voice"....I promise...it is a well worth read and visit.

http://itstartswithavoice.com/