Eight Troy Elementary School students were recognized Wednesday as Achilles Kids 2016.

The awards were the culmination of a yearlong effort by the students to become marathoners. Over the year’s time, Dana Haley’s students at TES walked, hopped, swung, ran, skipped and rode tricycles and scooters 26.2 miles, the distance of a marathon. With that accomplishment, they became Achilles Kids.

The Achilles Kids program is designed to get kids of all abilities and disabilities active.

The recognition ceremony for the children in Haley’s special education class was conducted by Troy University, Troy City School and Achilles International. Each student received a certificate, medallion, T-shirt and new tennis shoes during the presentation. Troy University’s Physical Education for Exceptional Children class, assisted with the implementation of the program.

Dr. Candice Shaughnessy said her KHP 4462 students benefited from the experience of working with the exceptional children’s class and shared in the excitement of their success.

“My students were able to work one-on-one with the exceptional students,” Shaughnessy said. “They explained to them what we were doing and showed them our virtual tour. They designed activities around the school for them to do on the tour so it was not just a boring walk.”

Shaughnessy said Troy University provided backpacks and water bottles for the kids that were used on a scavenger hunt walk.

“As they walked or skipped, they found the water bottles and backpacks and that make their walk fun and exciting.”

Shaughnessy said her students were challenged with integrating academic subjects with movement so it was a good learning experience for them and one they can use as they move forward in their careers.

“We were honored to have Karen Lewis, director of Achilles Kids, here to present the awards to the TES students,” Shaughnessy said.

“Achilles Kids is a free running, walking and rolling program for children with all types of disabilities that is part of Achilles International.”

Lewis presented Achilles Kids awards to the eight students and congratulated them on a job well done.

In presenting the awards, Lewis gave the TES students, who attended the awards program, an idea of just how far 26.2 miles is.

“Do you know that to walk, run or hop 26.2 miles, you would have to go around this room 626 times,” she said. “That’s what the Achilles Kids have done in a year’s time.”
The Troy Elementary Achilles Kids are Janiya Croskey, Raqual Cooper, Madysin Green, Desiree Love, Joshua Powell, Alina Pressley, Jalen Robinson and Wyatt Taylor.

Lewis has been with Achilles Kids since its inception.

“I was in the right place at the right time,” she said. “Achilles International had just decided to extend their program to include kids.

“We started Achilles Kids 21 years ago in New York in six schools with 75 kids. Today, Achilles Kids is in 300 schools in 14 states with 10,000 kids. It is people like Dr. Shaughnessy who have helped the program grow.”

Lewis said she has the same passion for Achilles Kids that she had when it began.

“Days like today never get old,” she said. “Seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces when they receive their awards fills my heart with joy.

“This is my passion.”