By Emily Dubinsky
Staff Writer
For the first time in 16 years in the United States, Los Angeles will hold the Special Olympics, and the city of Manhattan Beach, as well as multiple Mira Costa photography students, has the unique opportunity to get involved by photographing the Special Olympics.
Manhattan Beach is part of a Host Town Program that organizes cities to host the athletes and coaches of the two international special needs teams from Hungary and Nepal. The program will allow the teams to experience the Manhattan Beach community. The two teams will arrive on July 15 and stay in Manyhattan Beach until the games begin on July 25.
“This program is extremely important to the Special Olympics athletes because it gives them the opportunity to experience the local culture, make friends and feel at their best when they are ready to compete at a worldwide event,” said President and Chief Executive Officer of the Southern California Special Olympics Bill Shumard in the “About Host Towns” video.
The Costa photography students have the unique opportunity to participate in this event.
Costa has approximately 12 students that have committed to donating their time to the events of the Speical Olympics program, including sophomores Shriya Asher, Bridger Hart, Sky Karasik, and Colbi Young; juniors Milan Agnone, Amanda Geotz, Nico Henying, Paul O’Mara and Rachel Yanofsky; seniors Jessica Arruda, Essra Baddour and Mira Laing.
“I’m glad these photography students will have the opportunity to work with, learn from and document the experiences of others who have a different perspective from their own,” Costa English teacher Stacy Cabrera said.
John Post, a local photographer, contacted Costa’s photography teacher Chris Lee to see if any students would be interested in participating by photographing the teams from July 21-24. According to Lee, the students’ participation in the program involves compiling a souvenir memorial scrapbook for the teams to take home with them.
“I want to support my community while also doing something that I love, which is taking photos,” Young said. “I am more than willing to give my time because I care about this event, and I want it to be remembered through my photography.”
The photographers will mainly be shooting the athletes as they visit and experience the South Bay, which includes capturing scheduled welcoming ceremonies and training sessions. The students are currently attempting to gain access to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the actual Olympic events.
“I feel so honored to be able to witness such a major event and even more so to be able to capture it,” Laing said. “I think it will definitely be eye-opening to see what people are capable of and especially to get to know some of the athletes.”
Manhattan Beach is providing the Special Olympic teams with meals, housing and activities, along with lending them Costa’s Waller Stadium to practice for the games. The 12 advanced photography students participating in this event will be following the teams throughout the games to capture images of their time in Manhattan Beach.
“I hope that capturing these pictures will force me to dive deeper into the whole life-changing experience and become familiar with the competitors on a more intimate level,” Laing said.
According to Lee, the Special Olympics provides an unparalleled experience for the photography students to really develop their skills. The photography students will have the opportunity to impact the athletes with their skills and positive attitudes.
“The enthusiasm of seeing the athletes reach their accomplishments and grow in self confidence in life just through the power of sports is life changing for anyone who is able to witness it,” Shumard said.
Leave a Reply