Several PHS volunteers held a flag football clinic to help adults with special needs train for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. As an annual sporting event, the games bring together athletes with intellectual disabilities to compete in Olympic-style competition. Not only does it promote inclusion and acceptance, it offers a supportive environment for the athletes. As an organizer for the event, Ezra Lerman ’26 wanted to ensure these athletes had access to proper training by holding a clinic to help them prepare for the upcoming games. 

Plans for the clinic developed after several conversations with coaches and supervisors who showed strong interest in the idea. Lerman’s position on the Princeton Junior Football League board provided the organizational backing necessary to coordinate with volunteers and set up the clinic. 

“I wanted a way to stay involved with coaching flag football, so I reached out to their coaches asking about it,” said Lerman.

The goal of this clinic was to give the athletes access to guidance from PHS athletes who had the training and technique. They made stations and different drills, primarily focusing on specific positions. 

“The purpose is to provide better training to athletes ... It just really helps them on their journey,” said Lerman.
 
Alongside Lerman were student volunteers Leif Franson ’27, Judah Lerman ’29, Truman Arshan ’26, Langsdon Hinds ’27, and Rio Giamarese ’27. Each student managed drills for different positions, such as receivers, quarterbacks, and running backs, while also helping run a scrimmage at the end of the session. 

“The game, the scrimmage, we had at the end where we had split up the groups and we had the two teams go against each other,” said Franson. “I thought that was really fun seeing how into it they were.”

Following the clinic, Ezra Lerman and the volunteers noticed that the athletes were fully engaged throughout the season and seemed to appreciate the chance to train with more experienced players. The group said the athletes brought strong energy and enthusiasm to every drill. 

 “One moment from the clinic that really stuck with me was probably when we were first, getting a glimpse of how good these players actually were, and we realized that they were actually very talented,” said Judah Lerman. 

The clinic became a meaningful experience for both the athletes and the high school students who coached them, who hoped their own experiences would help the team prepare more effectively.

“It’s one hundred percent something we plan on continuing. When I first reached out, it maybe wasn’t something we planned on continuing, but based on how well it went, the feedback we got, they want us back, and we would love to do it again,” said Ezra Lerman. 

Photo courtesy: Ezra Lerman

Left to right: Ezra Lerman ’26, Judah Lerman ’29, Truman Arshan ’26, Langsdon Hinds ’27, Rio Giamarese ’27 and Leif Frasson ’27 with the Special Olympics Team NJ Flag Football team.

PHS students volunteer to coach Special Olympics clinic

The lights are bright as energy pulsates through the crowd. Taking a deep breath, Valeria Trujillo ’26 steps onto the mat and faces the audience with a smile. The music starts, and she follows every beat with precision. After receiving their score, 
Trujillo and the team raise their first place trophy into the air to the roar of the crowd. 

Trujillo began cheerleading as a freshman after spending her childhood exploring different sports, such as cross country. This time, however, she decided to stick with it for the rest of her high school years. 

“I’ve always liked dancing, so I thought that cheer would be a good way to be able to still dance,” Trujillo said. “So, I joined my freshman year.” 

Her love for music and dance came from her parents and her dance teachers. Growing up, she and her parents would 
often dance together to Spanish music, especially salsa. 

“[I learned] techniques, like when you’re carrying the girls, or the routine has a lot of stuff, so I think that I learned 
a lot of more new skills other than [just] dance,” said Trujillo.
 
Head Cheer Coach Veronica Foreman noticed Trujillo’s dedication right from the start. Even as a freshman and a newcomer to 
the sport, Trujillo stood out for her effort and determination, putting in large amounts of time to learn all the dances beforehand and consistently practicing.

“My first impression of Valeria was freshman year, during tryouts, literally the first day she knew everything ... all the routines ... I was just so amazed,” said Foreman. 

She added that Trujillo has become more confident and organized, taking on greater responsibilities within the team. Over time, she has learned how to use her voice as a leader — encouraging her teammates, communicating clearly, and setting an example both on and off the mat. 

“She’s the first one to reply to emails, and she’s always helping to make sure that we get the things out to the girls,” said Foreman. “I feel like Valeria has grown by being able to realize her worth ... and I see now that ... she knows that she is confident in what she does.” 

Along with co-captains Nava Brito ’26 and Suki McNulty ’26, Trujillo led the cheer team to a first place overall win at 
the cheer CVC competition. The team took first place in the traditional category and second in the game day category.

“When there were five captains [last year], I think one of her weaknesses was just trying to figure out how she fits in to 
be a leader with the captains when there were still many and how can her voice be heard,” said Foreman.

Trujillo’s teammates share similar thoughts about her leadership. As one of the co-captains, Trujillo is known for 
her outgoing personality and patience.

“She’s a really good captain, and she teaches me many things. I’ve only been on the team for a month, and I’ve learned a lot 
from her,” said teammate Zoe Csefan ’29.

While balancing cheer with academics can be challenging, Trujillo has found a strategy that enables her to be able to 
focus on both. However, she continues to bring energy and focus to every practice and performance.

“I think I usually always try to kind of make time for my work outside of school, outside of practice, make that like my priority,” said Trujillo. “But when I get on the mat, 
or in practice, I usually try to take everything else off my mind and focus on [the] fun.”

As Trujillo reflects on her four years of cheer, she plans to pursue pre-med in college and look into college cheer teams. 

“I think that [we] definitely have formed a community and I think that I used to do a lot of sports that were like single, more like it was just based off of yourself,” said Trujillo. “But I learned that cheering is a lot, you rely on everybody in the group. So I think that I definitely [learned] to work to communicate better and work together as a group."

Photo: Charley Hu

Trujillo leads the cheer team with patience and diligence, and she looks forward to continue her career in college alongside a path in pre-med.

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