Students Head South for Special Trip

About 50 students are driving to Ensenada, Mexico, this weekend to volunteer at a Special Olympics there. The annual student-led trip started in 2003, a product of Potter’s Clay, the student-led service trip that celebrated its 30th anniversary last spring.

The Westmont students will help time events, hand out food, assist visually impaired athletes, and cheer for all the athletes at the Special Olympics in Ensenada.

The students have collected more than 100 pairs of shoes over the past few months to take to Ensenada for the athletes.

Dr. Ramon Vidauri started the Special Olympics in Ensenada to give people with disabilities in the local community the chance to take part in athletic events. Vidauri works closely with Potter’s Clay in Mexico and asked Westmont students to help four years ago.

Senior Karalea Shudde, a member of the Potter’s Clay core team, says the Special Olympics trip can often be a humbling experience.

“It’s important for us to encourage these people, our brothers and sister in Christ, who are often neglected in Mexico,” she says. “The event is called Reto de Valientes there, which means challenge of the courageous. It’s quite appropriate because these athletes are truly courageous.”

Last March, Westmont was given a key to Ensenada for its 30 years of service, building homes and running medical/dental clinics.