The high school’s Special Olympians were honored for their team spirit.

PARIS – Individuals are often recognized for their personal achievements, however, some talented young athletes and friends were honored during the March 11 Winter Sports Award Ceremony at the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School with a special team award.

The Brian T. McGovern Team Spirit Trophy was presented to a group of 12 young men and women who gave their all at state-level Special Olympics Winter Games at Sugarloaf/USA in February. This prestigious award came at the beginning of a ceremony recognizing all of the Oxford Hills winter athletes for their efforts in competition ranging from basketball to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing to wrestling.

These Special Olympians have gone more than the extra lap or mile. Most of them have shared practice, lunch, equipment and dorms during competition in both summer and winter games for the past five years. A few are freshmen, first-year schoolmates and teammates. Their coaching staff is similar in experience, with a range from one to five years of training, teaching and coaching. It was the team’s complete and selfless immersion in “team spirit” that resulted in this year’s prestigious award, presented to only a single team in the state each year.

The Brian T. McGovern Award is presented annually at the winter games at Sugarloaf/USA. The Oxford Hills team was judged on the following:

the team which has shown unity and spirit in all facets of participation and at all levels of competition;

the team which has “given the extra cheer” or support to their fellow team members, regardless of skill level;

the team which has demonstrated sincere cooperation with officials and hosts of the Winter Games; the team which best typifies the group experience of participation, cooperation and socialization with fellow Olympians;

and, the team which through training, coaching and athletic prowess has shown exceptional skills at the Winter Games.

Brian McGovern was an environmentalist and outdoorsman, whose love for skiing, skating and snowshoeing brought him to coaching and Special Olympics at Sebasticook Farms. As a coach, McGovern typified qualities upon which proper role models are based.

He was a skillful organizer and also dedicated to fund-raising.

To find out more about how to make a difference in helping Special Olympics in the Oxford Hills area, call Cara Maloney at 743-8914, extension 7004. To learn more about how to help Special Olympics of Maine at the state level call Linda Fredericks at 207-879-0489 or e-mail her at [email protected].