November 4, 2024 - Approximately 205 special education student athletes competed in Comal ISD’s 17th annual Specialized Training and Recreation (STAR) bowling competitions on October 25 and October 28 at the Fiesta Lanes Bowling Center in New Braunfels.
The high school competition took place Friday, Oct. 25, with 111 athletes representing their campuses including Canyon High, Canyon Lake High, Davenport High, Pieper High and Smithson Valley High.
The middle school competition took place Monday, Oct. 28, with 94 athletes representing Bulverde Middle, Canyon Middle, Church Hill Middle, Danville Middle, Mountain Valley Middle, Pieper Ranch Middle and Spring Branch Middle.
“The bowling competitions kick off the STAR season for these athletes,” says Trish Bishop, a Comal ISD adapted physical education teacher. “The practices and competitions build camaraderie and team spirit within the campuses while giving the athletes an opportunity to develop skills for an activity they can enjoy for a lifetime.”
Besides parents, the loudest cheerleaders during the competitions are high school student volunteers who help the athletes and encourage them to have fun. This year, volunteers from student organizations Meet in the Middle at DHS and Family and Consumer Science (FACS) from PHS and SVHS were on hand.
“I love working with special needs kids,” says Brennan Holton, whose twin brother, Bryce Holton, competed. “Seeing them happy is the best thing in the world.”
Canyon High senior Sariah Escobedo agrees. She has been volunteering for STAR events for the past two years with FACS.
“It’s fun to see them so excited,” she says, “and it is great that they have the opportunity to compete like this.”
In addition to student volunteers, the SVHS JROTC presented the colors and national anthem for both competitions.
The STAR athletic season continues with a basketball competition on February 21 and a track and field competition on April 17. Additionally, a STAR dance is scheduled for January 31.
Congratulations to all the athletes!
Photo descriptions
-Canyon High School STAR athletes competed in the high school bowling competition on Friday, Oct. 25. Pictured in back from left is Zaire Barnes, Darion Osten, Grayson Talley and student volunteer from Pieper High School Austin Shreve; front row from left is Obed Varga, Colt Gray, Aiden Garza and Harley Reznicek.
-Davenport High School STAR athlete Brennan Holton had a special cheerleader in his twin brother, Bryce Holton, who volunteered with the DHS Meet in the Middle student organization.
-Smithson Valley High School STAR bowling athlete Abigayle Mangum had double the cheers with volunteers Lea Sims and Chloe Morales from Pieper High School.
-Spring Branch Middle School sixth-grade student Brandon Peddle had fun participating in the 17th annual STAR bowling competition October 28.
-Pieper Ranch Middle School students participated in the STAR bowling competition. Pictured back row from left is Canyon High School FACS volunteer Sariah Escobedo, Guido Bordano and Mason Reed; front row from left is Reagan Willaford, Maliyah Garza and Bria Alarcon.