Sports for Life has been impacting students throughout the county since 1999 – creating friendships, connections, and positive experiences throughout the school.
“[The history] of Sports for Life began with a basketball team at C. Milton Wright High School in 1999,” stated Adapted PE teacher Mrs. Katherine Lambert. The following year, NHHS coaches Lin James and Chris Fellenbaum joined, along with Bel Air High. “North Harford High School has been represented every season since then,” continued Lambert.
Over the years, participation in Sports for Life has significantly increased. “Original team size was ten to 15 players total,” explained Lambert. Now, they are even bigger. “We have had a big increase in participation the past two years,” stated Sports for Life coach and Special Education teacher Mrs. Kolbi Stahl. “We went from a few solid partners to a lot of new partners that are learning just how great it is to participate alongside the athletes,” she continued.
Sports for Life has had a significant impact on all students who participate throughout the school. Stahl says, “Inclusion is for everyone. It makes my students feel seen and heard and appreciated, but it also allows partners the same.” Sports for Life has given students the opportunity to build new friendships and connect with more people through something they enjoy doing.
“We all become better when we are able to learn more about how others experience the world and how to allow others to access a fun and exciting experience,” said Stahl. Participating in Sports for Life helps all students grow and learn, along with founding lasting relationships.
“In life, our relationships are the most important thing – people to support you, cheer you on, and be a shoulder to cry on when things go wrong,” the coach explains. “All of us need this regardless of our differences. This group fosters those relationships in a way that allows people to bond over having a good time and working toward a shared goal,” she continued.
Junior Reese Conklin is going on his second year of being in Sports for Life. “I liked seeing all the different teams from Harford County,” shared Conklin. With the bowling tournament coming up, he says he’s “looking forward to winning the tournament.”
Fellow junior Mallory Diflilippo has been a part of Sports for Life since the beginning of the year. “My favorite part of cornhole was having fun with all my friends and getting to meet people from other schools,” stated Diflilippo. She is also taking part in bowling and says she’s most excited to “grow friendships and be a part of a community.”
Both members feel being a part of the club has had a positive impact on themselves. “It has been a great experience, and everyone has a good time,” explained Conklin. Along with that, Diflilippo says, “I feel like Sports for Life has impacted me to be kind to everyone because everyone who is a part of Sports for Life is so kind, so it influences me to reciprocate that energy.”
The club takes part in three different sports. In fall, they play cornhole, in winter bowling, and in, spring they take part in basketball. With the fall season-ending, the winter season will soon begin. “Practices start after winter break and the tournament is Feb. 5 at 2:30 at Forest Hill Lanes,” explained Stahl. If anyone is interested in joining the team, then go to B203 to talk to Coach Stahl or Coach Santelli.