Weston girl helps represent Hazleton, PA Special Olympics on Capitol Hill
PHOTO COURTESY / SPECIAL OLYMPICS PENNSYLVANIA - Reese Kaschak, left, and Christian Santana, represent Hazleton Area and Special Olympics Pennsylvania on Capitol Hill.
WASHINGTON, DC – A Weston girl was part of a delegation from Hazleton Area representing Special Olympics Pennsylvania on Capitol Hill this week.
Reese Kaschak and Christian Santana were in Washington Monday through Wednesday, inviting elected officials to partner with them to support inclusive education and health initiatives for people with intellectual disabilities, according to Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s Facebook page.
They met with elected officials, including Senator Bob Casey and Rep. Matt Cartwright.
Kaschak, of Weston, is a unified partner, a student without an intellectual disability, who actively participates with the athletes in a fun and meaningful way for training and competition, and joined Santana to share their experiences.
Hazleton Area recently celebrated their recognition as a National Unified Champion School, an honor given to only four schools in the state this year and only 146 across the country.
The district launched its unified track team two years ago and unified bocce team last year. The Sentinel was there when the Cougars hosted their first home match against North Schuylkill.
Kaschak and Santana were among representatives from 47 states asking legislators to support continued federal funding for Special Olympics for its inclusive health and Unified Champion Schools programming.
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