PHS students volunteer to coach Special Olympics clinic

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.