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Professor volunteers students’ writing talents for Special Olympics
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Karen Uehling wanted to go to China, but in the end, the world came to her. And before it was over, the Boise State English professor and self-described travel-lover saw her students write for an international audience, have articles published in a local newspaper, rethink their definitions of ‘disability,’ and see the Vice President of the United States.
For Uehling, to started with a missed opportunity to teach with University Studies Abroad Consortium in Chengdu, China. She had to withdraw from the trip because her husband suffered a stroke, but travel was still very much on her mind.
“I’m always looking for opportunities in the future where travel writing will be needed,” Uehling said from her second floor office stacked full of favorite books.
One day she saw a Service Learning poster on campus and thought, “There’s an opportunity here with Special Olympics.”
Excited about combining service with her fondness for writing, Uehling soon made contact with Justine Sgalio, Media Relations and Communications Manager for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games.
Sgalio brought Special Olympics videos, brochures and information to Uehling’s English 401 nonfiction class last spring. She also gave the class a list of travel writing assignments about Idaho aimed toward Olympians coming here from all corners of the globe. The assignments covered topics like weather, culture, fun activities, shopping, day trips, hot springs and history.
The 29 students in Uehling’s fall and spring 2008 nonfiction classes wrote at least one informative piece each to be included in official World Winter Games manuals handed out to athletes and families.
“I wrote some blurbs for local shops and eateries on 8th Street,” student Laura Rogers said. “I learned more about writing to a specific audience.”
Some of Uehling’s students also had to experience the events.
“In my spring 401 class I required them to attend one Special Olympics practice event,” she said. “Most attended a floor hockey game. They were surprised and amazed.”
Some students, like Marilyn Bjorkman, got even more involved. She wrote several travel articles about McCall. She convinced a store owner near Donnelly to keep her historic business open so the athletes could see a piece of frontier culture. Bjorkman even penned an article about the Winter Games that was published in her hometown newspaper.
“I got a greater appreciation for people with disabilities and what they can do,” Bjorkman said. “The biggest benefit I gained was to see joy, excitement and pride in the people participating and to think I was a small part of that. There was a couple from China about eight years old, figure skating, and the little boy was helping the little girl. It was just so cute. She had the kisses and the waving down at the end. Another thing that was poignant was the audience was so supportive and the athletes just loved it.”
Bjorkman also got to see Vice President Joe Biden and Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan at the events.
English 201 student Ryan Huffaker found himself redefining concepts.
“Writing for Special Olympics made me reach outside myself and reevaluate my definition of ‘athlete’ as well as ‘disability,’” he wrote for the Boise State website. “It made me broaden my horizons and become more accepting of others.”
How does Uehling feel about her brainchild?
“It’s just been a tremendous event. I’m so excited we could be a part of it, and could do travel writing and reach outside of Idaho,” she said.
JENNIFER SAWMILLER
Arbiter Journalist
