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  One
by one, individuals walk to a stage to be recognized for their achievements.
Endless applause abounds. Cheers of joy fill the air!
In a strange twist of fate, Hannah Hedgecock saw a similar scene to her
high school peers the weekend of June 2-4. The aquatics awards ceremonies
at the Special Olympics North Carolina Summer Games held a very similar
look and feeling to the North Davidson High School graduation ceremony
in Lexington, NC. At her own discretion, Hedgecock decided to forego her
own high school graduation ceremony in favor of a more personal and meaningful
celebration. While members of her senior class, sported colored caps and
gowns and were handed diplomas, Hannock proudly watched athletes she'd
trained accept their medals.
"Had a I stayed for graduation, I would have been thinking the whole
time about how the athletes were doing," said Hedgecock. "This
way I didn't think about graduation one time."
Hedgecock coached eight swimmers in the Special Olympics Davidson County
program at the SONC Summer Games. According to local coordinator Mary
Ann Brown, "It was more important for Hannah to be with the athletes
she coaches and see them perform."
Three years ago, Brown was scrambling to find a replacement aquatics
coach for the Davidson County program. Hedgecock, then a 16 year old member
of her high school swim team was called on to fill the tall order.
"Since she was very young, she recruited a friend instead to be
the Aquatics Coach, even though she was really the one doing it"
says Brown. When her friend moved out of state the following year, Hedgecock
stepped up to accept the challenge on her own.
For the past three years, Hedgecock has spent Saturday mornings committed
to training as many as 15 athletes. When necessary, she even picks them
up to ensure they make the practices. Amazingly, she has logged more than
400 hours of volunteering with Special Olympics. In the process, she has
recruited her friends to the cause, many of whom accompany her at Saturday
morning practices.
Hedgecock is a great coach and always goes above and beyond for the athletes,
designing and framing certificates each athlete, purchasing monogrammed
towels for them to use in competitions etc. Her kindness does not go unnoticed
by the athletes and they decided an appropriate opportunity to show their
appreciation for her. Following the Opening Ceremonies at Summer Games,
the Davidson county delegation flocked back to the dorms and rendered
Hedgecock speechless with a surprise graduation party. The thoughtful
gesture, complete with a congratulatory cake and card, moved her to tears.
"She's such an inspiring young lady, just one of a kind," said
Brown, who marvels at Hedgecock's selflessness.
Hedgecock, an honor roll student opted not to celebrate her academic success
that weekend but rather the personal success she'd found from coaching
and watching others achieve. The smiles on the Davidson County swimmers
faces are a memory she will treasure forever.
This fall, Hedgecock will attend NC State to major in Mathematics. If
you too are interested in becoming a Special Olympics coach-register for
more information today!
Nominate a person to be featured in "Spotlight On"
-Contact Leah Sundheim at 1-800-843-6276,
ext. 110.
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