LIHUE — Ten outstanding youth across the United States, including one on Kauai, were recognized as “Be Fearless Be Kind” award winners by Special Olympics and global play and entertainment company, Hasbro, Inc.
LIHUE — Ten outstanding youth across the United States, including one on Kauai, were recognized as “Be Fearless Be Kind” award winners by Special Olympics and global play and entertainment company, Hasbro, Inc.
The award celebrates youth in Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools across the country who are leaders for inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in their community and exemplify the qualities of compassion, empathy, and courage.
Part of Hasbro’s Be Fearless Be Kind philanthropic initiative, winners were selected for taking action in their schools to end discrimination of youth with intellectual disabilities and to help create a more inclusive school culture. Each of the youth received $1,000 to support Special Olympics programming in their school.
Reign Palama from Kauai was one of the winners. The eighth-grader is involved in Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School’s Unified Club through lass activities, fundraising and sporting events. She is a leader for inclusion in her school and has helped supported classmates with intellectual disabilities.
Reign’s teacher said: “She would not say that her action of kindness, inclusion, acceptance, and respect are actions of courage. Being a middle school student, however, it takes courage to do something your peers are not doing, something that may not be ‘cool’.”
“The important qualities of kindness and empathy that Hasbro is celebrating through the Be Fearless Be Kind Awards are vital to creating schools and communities that are inclusive of people with all abilities,” said Mary Davis, CEO, Special Olympics International. “I commend these excellent youth who are true leaders in the fight to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities.”
