HHP exchange program with Special Olympics begins

Jan. 20 marked an important date in an interdisciplinary research project in the East Carolina University College of Health and Human Performance that will send ECU representatives and Special Olympics athletes to Peru in March, and in early June, ECU will host a group of Peruvians affiliated with Special Olympics Latin America.

This unified sport youth exchange program on the theme of sport for social change is supported by the Special Olympics and U.S. Department of State.

The morning of Jan. 20 included an initial orientation session at community partner Awaken Coffee in Greenville. The group, which features ECU students in mentor roles with individuals with intellectual disabilities who will travel to Peru, was recognized on the court and received enthusiastic applause from fans during the ECU women’s basketball game later in the day.

The group sits together and enjoys an ECU basketball win in Minges Coliseum, Jan. 20, 2024.

Four of the HHP academic units — kinesiology, social work, recreation sciences and human development and family science — are represented in the faculty team of Drs. David Loy (director of ECU Design4Disability initiative), AJ An (expert in adapted sport), Stacy Warner (director of ECU Sport and Community Development Lab), Christine Habeeb (expert in sport psychology and unified sport), Andrea Buenaño (project director in sport and experiential learning) and Eboni Baugh (cross-cultural coordinator and project evaluation specialist).

“This is a great group of faculty, with each member providing their own piece of expertise to contribute to the experience and our group goals and aspirations,” said Warner, who is principal investigator for the grant.

Also selected for the 10-day exchange in Lima, Peru, and Cusco, Peru, are: Erik Martinez-Santoyo, who graduated with a degree in foreign language and literatures with a concentration in Hispanic studies; Special Olympics athlete, Elijah White, from Lake Norman; ECU student, Jacquelin Acuna Mendoza, majoring in recreational therapy; Special Olympics athlete, Princess Bristow, of Johnston County; ECU student, Jillian Conroy, double majoring in exercise physiology and Hispanic studies; Special Olympics athlete, Gabe McBride, from Orange County; ECU student, Marcos Ardon Lobos, majoring in recreational therapy and Special Olympics athlete Lana Foster, of Clay County.

The ECU students and Special Olympic athletes are emerging youth leaders, and they are unified pairs.

Representatives from Special Olympics North Carolina also were recognized and part of the Jan. 20 events. Awaken Coffee highlighted photos with an encouraging message about the collaboration and the day.

Plenty of smiles during the orientation meeting at Awaken Coffee. (Photo from Awaken social media)