PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (April 28, 2021) – A few weeks ago, Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) was abuzz with the excitement of a track and field meet: colorful flags waved under the sky, athletes stretched and prepared to the hum of a cheering crowd that framed the scene on the university’s track. Later, there was the quiet anticipation before the pop of the starting gun and the adrenaline of friendly competition and teammate camaraderie, and the excited cheers from onlookers as runners crossed the finish line or athletes competed in their field events.
As these athletes put their skills to the test, there’s one thing that wasn’t a matter of qualification: their background, physical, or intellectual ability. The only thing that mattered at this Unified Champions Schools track and field meet in partnership with the Special Olympics of Texas – the first of its kind held at an Historically Black College/University (HBCU) – was their willingness to participate and their persistence and determination to compete well.
“What this event really shows is the willingness for PVAMU to not only help their community but society as a whole,” Aaron Keith, program coordinator for Special Olympics Texas, said. “When you think of what PVAMU is hosting: a Unified UIL (University Interscholastic League) track and field competition, the first where we’ll have athletes with disabilities competing alongside athletes without, it’s just incredible. Barriers are being broken down. These high school students are seen as equals, because they are. This is a chance for PVAMU to stand up and support everyone, no matter their ability, and they’ve done that with open arms. This is the message that humanity matters for everyone in action.”
The Unified UIL track meet included seven teams from the Greater Houston and Beaumont areas, with the top four teams headed to the state competition in San Antonio. These high school athletes also competed just a few hours before PVAMU hosted a B1G Texas Invitational track meet, sharing the field and showing them just what’s possible when the playing field is – literally – leveled.
“This event has created awareness for HBCUs, putting PVAMU on the map for students with disabilities,” Biology Department Head Harriette Block, Ph.D., said. “It opens up another avenue for all people to realize you can do anything you put your mind to, no matter if you have a disability or not. Persistence to do something is key – this is an eye-opener for a whole lot of things as it relates to universities and HBCUs across the nation. The impact of this won’t be contained just to Prairie View.”
The event – four years in the making – has been planned and led by PVAMU senior Airel Stewart, along with students Antonio Daniels, Torri James, and key faculty supporting them. Airel noted that the initial spark for the idea was encouraged enthusiastically by Drs. George Brown and Block of the Biology Department, and Jenta Young, Airel’s academic advisor. Airel credits other faculty and staff with invaluable support for her vision as well, including Belinda Lewis and Kay Norman, Ph.D., from Disability Services, Tony Daniels, Director of Campus Recreation, Head Track and Field Coach Angela Williams, and President Ruth Simmons.
“All of this began with a conversation with Dr. Brown,” Airel said. “I consider him a living legend. He is a faculty member in the biology department and has mentored thousands of students. He even taught the generation of my family before me. Mr. Mingle Moore, an English and humanities professor at PVAMU, aided in countless things when it came to helping get this event off the ground.”
Coach Williams said this event was perfect for PVAMU to host, not just because the university has the resources and setup to host it, but because it aligns with the university’s spirit of inclusion and belief that whatever you put your mind to, you can do.
“For us to host this event is a no brainer: the track is built for this, and to have an Olympics-level event here is an honor,” Williams said. “But more than that, this is close to my heart. My daughter has high-functioning Down’s syndrome. When students are given the opportunity to excel, they can do anything they put their minds to, no matter their ability or background. It’s an honor to have everyone involved behind the scenes in planning this and to have everyone in the stands to cheer them on – I’m excited to see that.”
The idea for the event sparked from an experience Airel (a biology, pre-med, major and African American studies and English minor) had in high school.
“I had some medical issues that forced me to quit all my extracurriculars. My coach encouraged me to come out to a Special Olympics event,” Airel remembered. “I was depressed, and I kind of felt like an outsider due to these issues, and I honestly needed something to pull me out of that. She brought me to one event, and I just fell in love with it. The athletes treated me like a normal person, and they looked past those physical things and just saw me for me.”
When she realized there wasn’t an organization at PVAMU that partners with high school students with intellectual disabilities, she jumped into action and founded Panther Buddies and Juniors, affectionately nicknamed “PB&J.” Airel’s major – which will eventually lead her to medical school – has been a way for her to dig deeper into societal issues like the misdiagnosis of intellectual disabilities. As she has learned and researched, she said her heart for these patients expanded into a desire to ignite some kind of change – no matter what it looked like, big or small. Her experience with Special Olympics and her athletic and medical background seemed like a natural combination as she started brainstorming ideas for events and programs that PB&J could head.
The encouragement from her academic advisor pushed her to “think bigger” and pitch the idea of a Unified track and field meet to university leadership.
“I got a presentation together thinking, ok, the worst outcome is that they say no,” Airel said. “I just didn’t want to give up on the Special Olympics no matter how many emails or presentations or proposals it took. I was so surprised and excited that President Simmons was all in when I nervously pitched it to her. This event couldn’t have been possible without the support of my team, and each has played a role in making this happen. We’ve been planning this for four years in the making! I’m so grateful for everyone who has been involved and believed this could happen.”
Young echoed Airel’s enthusiasm for the event, noting that she is “one of a kind.”
“She is one of the most assertive and intelligent individuals I’ve ever met but still so sweet. You can’t help but get swept up in her vision and excitement for this event,” Young said. “I told her, when you become a doctor, don’t limit yourself to one practice; Dream big! I want to thank these students for all they’ve done. It’s mostly been student driven. Just to see the students take the lead on this… it’s what you dream about as an educator.”
University leadership was all on board for the event. Since then, Airel and her student team have brought enthusiasm and vision to this dream at every level of the planning, from brainstorming with friends and fellow program coordinators to persisting in getting the attention of the Special Olympics team.
“I Initially joined Panther Buddies and Juniors to help my friend and old roommate Airel,” Torri James said. “As time has gone on and we have gotten further planning in this event, I have learned so much about planning and working as a team to make something so huge happen. I have been involved in so many clubs on campus that have some fantastic goals and outcomes, but none have ever made me feel the sense of family that PB&J brings. It is a lot of work, but Airel is a great president and always makes sure everyone is comfortable and not overwhelmed. I will forever be grateful for this opportunity. I wouldn’t want to make PVAMU history with anyone else.”
Tony Daniels, whose department falls under the Division of Student Affairs currently led by Steve Ransom, noted this event is just one of many examples of how the university has directed its focus to inclusion and diversity across the board.
“I’ve always said this: Prairie View Produces Productive People, and this is really a great example of that,” he said. “From recruiting and welcoming incoming students, to hosting career fairs, or planning and executing the Juneteenth celebration, to hosting other athletes for practices and games – whatever it may be – the Division of Student Affairs is constantly advocating for inclusivity. It’s woven into the fabric of what we do. We have the opportunity this week to actualize it. Coach Williams has developed a high caliber, top-notch track and field program, and these students have every opportunity to compete at the highest level of excellence under her guidance. And when can you say you have a Special Olympics event and Big 10 track and field meet right alongside each other? You can’t make this stuff up. It’s amazing. The students bring that inclusive spirit to everything they do.”
This event also gives the students planning it a chance to broaden their professional experiences and build invaluable experiences to apply to their future careers, Daniels added. The heart and soul behind this event is the students, he said.
“This event is also part of our commitment to educate future citizens,” Daniels said. “We’ve all had a role to play in this, and as a programmer by trade, this has been a chance to work with these students as they explore what kinds of careers they want to have in the future, whether that’s medical or marketing. This is a real-life program experience for them at each event we do and every piece that comes together behind the scenes. It becomes a very practical experience. Experience is one of the best teachers you can have.”
For Antonio Daniels, this was a chance to work on a significant event that aligns with his marketing career goals. But it’s much more than just an educational experience, he said.
“I’ve volunteered for significant events before, but I’ve never had the opportunity to help make an event,” he said. “It hasn’t been easy, but the process was worth every step of the way; from this experience, I’ve come to see what it’s like working on a significant event and how everyone has to work together, so things don’t fall apart the closer you get to the finish line. I joined PB&J not knowing what I would be doing other than the occasional poster or ‘marketing’ job, but I’m glad I got to experience much more than I anticipated.”
Keith noted that this event marks the beginning of an incredible partnership and open door for growth – not just for the university in leading the charge for change, but for the students who get to participate most of all.
“One of the great things about PVAMU is their willingness to be a part of our work,” Keith said. “At every level, the arms have been totally opened at PVAMU. For our athletes and the Special Olympics organization, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, this is an ‘inclusion revolution.’ It’s always been our goal to host events that foster lifelong friendships and bonds that begin within school walls. It gives students a more meaningful student experience and life, and as they go through their careers, they’ll remember their Unified partner. It’s an experience that stays with them for life. So, one of the cool things about this event is that it’s a glimpse for some of our athletes to have a personal college experience, something they may have never was a reality. They get to see and feel and talk and live a campus experience. Even if just for a few hours, they can recognize a new dream and see how PVAMU can help them get there. It’s a big deal. Partnering with colleges is a big part of SOTX’s mission, and over the years, our work has built relationships with many universities, some of whom have gone on to start classes for our athletes and expanded their offerings for students with intellectual disabilities. We want to show them what’s possible, and PVAMU has been extremely receptive. Their students – and these students involved with SOTX – are going to change the world.”
By Meredith Mohr
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