Capital High students support Special Olympics USA Games behind the scenes
Willow Young and Camille Patterson spent the Special Olympics USA Games in volunteer roles, then brought back leadership skills that Capital High can use at home.
Helena students Willow Young and Camille Patterson spent the Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota working the floor, not the podium, as Montana athletes chased medals and the Capital High School pair handled the behind-the-scenes jobs that kept the event moving. Selected for the Youth Leadership Experience, the two students volunteered during the June 20-26 Games at the University of Minnesota and the National Sports Center in Blaine while learning how a national competition is built.
The pair’s preparation started months before they arrived in Minneapolis. After an application and interview process, Young and Patterson met regularly with youth leaders from across North America, building event-planning and teamwork skills central to the Youth Leadership Experience. Terri Norman, the senior director for Unified Champion Schools at Special Olympics Montana, said the students had the chance “to take on leadership roles” and see “what it takes to put on an event of this size.”
Once on site, Young and Patterson checked in volunteers, worked at Fan Fest, helped at competition venues and assisted with a Silent Disco celebration for participants. Patterson said, “We’re basically here to help support the Games and volunteer. Help out wherever is needed.”
For Young and Patterson, the work also deepened a friendship that started through Unified Sports in Helena. Young is a Special Olympics athlete in Helena, and Patterson is her Unified Sports partner. Patterson said she watched Young become “really confident and outgoing” during the trip. Young said, “Special Olympics changed my life because I met Camille.” Patterson called that bond lasting, saying, “She’ll be a lifelong friend.”
Capital High is designated a Special Olympics Unified Champion School. That model brings students with and without intellectual disabilities together through sports, school engagement and inclusive leadership.
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