Cheers, Praises and Smiles

CONWAY, Ark. (Aug. 2, 2007)

Hendrix College senior Allison Wolf wanted to do something extraordinary with her summer internship at Pediatrics Plus in Conway, an organization dedicated to recognizing and encouraging the special needs of children in its community. As a soccer enthusiast and a member of the college’s soccer team, she decided to organize a program designed to allow the children with special physical needs the opportunity to play the sport she loves.

With the help of Pediatrics Plus, her program – called the Triumph Soccer Program – was a resounding success. The program was recently featured by reporter Michael Allen in the Log Cabin Democrat, Conway’s daily newspaper.

Every Saturday in July, the program allowed children with special needs, ranging in ages from 3 to 12, the opportunity to play soccer with the help of other soccer players from Hendrix recruited by Wolf, along with numerous other dedicated community volunteers. The program finished with “Game Day,” an event described by Allen as having a festive atmosphere with abundant smiles, cheers and praises.

“This has been extremely amazing,” Wolf was quoted as saying. “I had expectations that this would be something wonderful, but it has exceeded my expectations in a major way. I haven’t seen this many people at a soccer game in a while, even with typical kids. And seeing the kids score a goal and the entire crowd just going into an applause was just so amazing.”

Hendrix, founded in 1876, is a selective, residential, undergraduate liberal arts college that emphasizes experiential learning in a demanding yet supportive environment. The college has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. For more information, visit www.hendrix.edu.