Diane Vaiskunas, Coach V. as she
is called by students and teachers alike, has been a fixture at Madonna School
for 34 years. Since first working with Madonna students as a YMCA swimming
instructor, her energy and devotion have never slowed down. Coach V. now
directs all Special Olympics activities at Madonna.
To Coach V., Special Olympics
means more than just physical exercise. She describes practice and games as
social events that build team spirit and offer learning experiences that are
useful well beyond the court. Special Olympics, coach says, gives students
“something to be proud of no matter the level of skill.” Participants get a
ribbon whether or not they finish first and, most importantly, they have a lot
of fun competing.
One of Coach V.’s favorite
experiences with the Madonna students was the 2011 National Basketball Special
Olympics. She and a group of volunteers spent a week with Madonna’s girl
basketball team in Lincoln, NE. Coach V called it a “once in a lifetime
experience.” In this environment, the students were given the opportunity to
live and play in a community of more than a thousand athletes.
Not only did these athletes learn
how to compete, they had the experience of living independently from their
families for a week. Coach V. sees all Olympics not only as a chance to bet
one’s self athletically, but learning how to “take the good with the bad.” Just
as in everyday life, it is important to learn that we cannot always come in
first place.
It is not a surprise that Coach V.’s favorite sport
is swimming. Again, her reasoning goes beyond the initial physical benefits.
She says it is a “beautiful sport” because the individual is in charge of
learning the concentration and focus necessary to excel. Even more, swimming is
the only sport where athletes must overcome a type of fear. Coach V. loves to
help Madonna students overcome these fears and build confidence in themselves.
After 34 years, Coach V.'s
commitment to Special Olympics and Madonna is unflinching. She encourages every
student and parent to be a part of the Olympics. Many opportunities are
available for volunteers.
Coach V. encourages those that are interested in
getting involved to contact the state office of the Special Olympics at (402)
331-5545.
All of us should be a part of the magic that Coach V. has spread
throughout the Madonna community.
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