NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The New Rochelle Board of Education gave framed commendations on Tuesday to both the New Rochelle Special Olympics team and the New Rochelle High School girls swim team.
Both teams have had great seasons.
The Special Olympics team, which has been part of the District for 20 years, has competed in soccer, basketball, floor hockey, volleyball and track and field. It participated in the Special Olympics Fall Festival Soccer Tournament in Beacon in October and placed second in its division. In December, the team played a mini-tournament against Mount Vernon and White Plains teams at Isaac E. Young Middle School, and the athletes were uplifted by the NRHS Varsity Boys Soccer team and others who came out to cheer for them.
“Everyone was rooting for the team,” said Mary Monzon, whose son William is on the Special Olympics team. “They were holding up the signs that said ‘Go New Ro!’ They were waving and high-fiving the players. It was nice to see the support and the camaraderie.”
In November, the team received a commendation from the New Rochelle City Council.
The swim team completed the regular season with a record of 8-0 and won the league championship meet. The 200 medley relay team broke a school record with a time of 1:56.70. The 200 freestyle relay team qualified for sectionals.
The commendations honored the students at the Board meeting in New Rochelle High School with the Board’s “profound gratitude and appreciation for their faithful dedication, extraordinary, tireless and conscientious service.” Board of Education President Jeffrey Hastie and Interim Superintendent Magda Parvey also provided each student of the two teams with an individual commendation during the presentation.