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MONROE: Students join Torch Run

Students and police officers from several local agencies participated in the 30th annual Torch Run for Special Olympics New Jersey on June 7.

By Amy Batista, Special Writer
MONROE — Students and police officers from several local agencies participated in the 30th annual Torch Run for Special Olympics New Jersey on June 7.
   The run by law enforcement agencies signals the start of the Special Olympics. Special Olympics New Jersey is a statewide, sports training and athletic competition program that provides year-round opportunities to children and adults with intellectual disabilities to participate in sports, according to its website.
   In Monroe, around 42 students had the opportunity to participate along with law enforcement officers in the run for the first time this year in honor of their very own student, eighth-grader Megan Fannon, a Special Olympic swimmer.
   ”Last year our own student, Megan, was in the trail car and nobody knew about it until after the fact,” said Misty Corbisiero, run coordinator and physical education teacher in Monroe. “I made a promise along with Judy Firestine, Megan’s Special Education teacher, to make sure we got involved this year. The entire school could participate and I opened it up to everyone.”
   Johanna Ternyila of Monroe who is Megan’s grandmother and grandfather, Gary, showed up to support her.
   ”It’s wonderful,” said Ms. Ternyila. “It’s amazing.”
   She said she thought it was “fantastic” that Megan was selected to be a part of this.
   ”We are very proud of her,” said Mr. Ternyila.
   ”Megan is like a celebrity around here,” said Principal Chanley. “We just thought it would be a wonderful way to support her. She is such a wonderful girl.”
   Seventh-grader Jennifer Horn, 13, of Monroe finds the experience “cool.”
   ”I think it’s for a good cause and you feel like you are helping people,” said Jennifer.
   Eighth-grader Paiten Hornberger of Monroe has never participated in a torch run before but her uncle Philip Esposito has.
   ”It feels good because it’s a sport for Special Olympics,” said Paiten. “It’s a good cause.”
   Special Olympics New Jersey has approved twenty-four Olympic sports for participation by individuals with intellectual disabilities. It also offers twenty-four (including Motor Activities) as Chapter-level competitions, according to the organization.
   ”I think it will be fun,” said sixth-grader Frankie Oresto, 12, of Monroe.
   ”Misty Corbisiero and her husband is a law enforcement agent so when she presented the idea to me I said yes,” Principal Chanley said. “It made us really lucky.”
   Ms. Corbisiero’s husband, Philip, was involved in the run and is a sergeant for Spotswood Police Department.
   ”He was the officer on the motorcycle,” Ms. Corbisiero said.
   Around 3,000 Law Enforcement officers participated in the Torch Run for Special Olympics New Jersey, which started around 4:45 a.m. to run the 750-mile journey to bring the “Flame of Hope” through the state to The College of New Jersey in Ewing.
   The torch was used to light the cauldron Friday evening and officially open the Special Olympics New Jersey 2013 Summer Games, according to the press release.
   ”As members of the Torch Run, we have a lifelong commitment to the more than 23,000 athletes of Special Olympics New Jersey,” said Chief Robert Belfiore, Retired Deputy Chief of the Port Authority of NY/NJ and Director of the New Jersey Torch Run in the press release. “The running of the torch is symbolic of the powerful bond between Law Enforcement and the athletes. Each year, we will continue to grow our fundraising events and grassroots awareness campaigns to let the world see the great achievements and endless possibilities for success for Special Olympics athletes.”
   The local event raised more than $1,000.
   ”We raised almost $1,500,” Ms. Corbisiero said. “We collected at least $25 from each student to be a torch runner and the students paid $1 to make a print of their hand to be put on our 20 foot by four-foot banner,” Ms. Corbisiero said.
   The Cranbury Police Department also participated separately in the run, which included Chief of Police Rickey Varga, Lt. Michael Owens, Sgt. Ryan Dworzanski, Sgt. Gregory Pfremmer and Officer Matthew Schneider.
   Officer Schneider also volunteers his time and assists at the weekend long Special Olympic Games.
   According to Chief Varga, their portion of the run was coordinated by Officer Schneider and was sponsored by the Cranbury F.O.P. (Fraternal Order of Police) Lodge #68.
   ”This is a personal event for me since my youngest sister, recently deceased, was a prior athlete,” said Officer Schneider. “I know how much the Special Olympics helped my sister grow personally and socially and to see how it does the same for all the athletes.”
   That department raised more than $2,300. The main contributors included the Cranbury Fraternal Order Of Police (F.O.P.) Lodge #68 and family members, according to the department.
   The Jamesburg Police Department also participated in the run, as it does every year.
   ”The Jamesburg Police participates every year with a donation,” said Det. Jason Muller in an email on Wednesday.
   Chief of Police Martin Horvath participated in the torch run on Friday.
   ”The chief was the only member from Jamesburg that ran,” Det. Muller said. “He ran the entire Jamesburg leg of the run.”