By Anthony Ciano, Managing Editor
February 5, 2024
MIDDLEBORO - On Saturday, January 27 a team of pathway students and Bulldog Buddies traveled to Middleboro High School to compete in a bocce tournament for the Special Olympics of Massachusetts.
The tournament consisted of teams from various South Shore schools who competed in three rounds of Bocce.
The Massachusetts Association of Student Councils sponsored this gathering through their partnership with the Special Olympics.
Team 1 for Rockland was made up of seniors Sophie Levy and Hope Sylvester, junior Lily O’Connell, and Pathways student Faith Henry. For Team 2, the players were seniors Anthony Ciano, Ava Hagan, and Mary McPartlin, along with Pathway student, Dillon Doyle.
Along with these two teams of bocce competitors, English teacher Ms. Kristen Walsh and SAIL teacher Mrs. Desiree Cunha joined along with a group of “fans in the stands” from Rockland.
At the end of the tournament, all participating students received gold Olympic medals for their contributions and participation.
Henry said that her favorite part was “rolling the balls.”
While some teams participated in their bocce games, the teams who were waiting for their next game were able to enjoy several different stations, designed to maximize comfort and inclusivity for all attendants.
Different stations included a sensory room, game room, a carnival area, and the cafeteria was open for lunch and snacks.
McPartlin explained that she wanted to participate because her “family friend has Down Syndrome and she does the Special Olympics and after seeing her, [she] wanted to get involved in our Bulldog Buddies.”
In addition to participating in the Bulldog Buddies program, McPartlin is also the Editor-in-Chief of The Veritas school newspaper, co-founder of the Gender Sexual Alliance, and a member of the Student Government Council and the HYPE mentoring programs at RHS.
Ms. Cunha believes that “it is so important as a school to participate in events like the unified bocce tournament because it promotes a culture of inclusivity.”
Rockland High School as a whole is known for its diverse community and commitment to welcoming everyone no matter what and Bulldog Buddies is a great representation of that moral and reputation.
Along with participating in Unified Bocce, the Bulldog Buddies and Pathways program participate in many events throughout the school year which allow students to help out.
Student Government President Hagan explained that there are “monthly events like bowling, paint night, movie nights, cookie decorating, and karaoke.”
Athletic events such as Unified Gym, Unified Soccer, and even a new Unified Track program are ways for student-athletes to get involved in helping students with special needs feel included and a part of organizations at Rockland High.
Cunha mentioned that she would love to see Bulldog Buddies “grow in the future and have more volunteers.”
She emphasized that “there is a flexibility in bulldog buddies where if you can come to an event that is great but can’t that’s fine too” and that “the more volunteers the better.”
For the future, students at RHS who want to get involved can look forward to an upcoming Unified Pep Rally, a Polar Plunge to raise money for the Special Olympics, the brand new Unified Track Team, the Pathways student-run “Dog Depot” store at Friday lunches, and various Bulldog Buddy events.