CINCINNATI, Ohio—At Anderson High School, the football team is gearing up for a big game with the Kings.

But it’s not always about the competition.

  • Anderson High School’s volleyball program held its first Special Olympics Night to raise money for Special Olympics sports in Hamilton County
  • The cause is near and dear to the heart of one of its star seniors
  • The school is hoping that momentum from Tuesday night can carry over into tonight’s game for the football program as well

Earlier this week, the Anderson volleyball team hosted a special night for a group of folks who are more than deserving of the honor. 

First-year head coach Lauren Olson wants to instill leadership values with her girls. 

“If you’re given a gift, like the ability to play volleyball, you have to use it to help others,” said Olson.

That’s why on Tuesday night, the program held its first Special Olympics Night to raise money for Special Olympics sports in Hamilton County.

It’s a cause very near and dear to the heart of one of its star seniors. 

“My uncle Jerry was adopted by my grandma and grandpa, and from the age that I could start to understand that he was different, acted different, and talked different than other people, I kinda became curious as to why he was like that,” said Carly Caldwell, Anderson High School senior volleyball player. “So, from then on, I started learning more and more about it. I think at age nine I decided I was going to do that for my future.”

Caldwell has been volunteering with Special Olympics since the seventh grade and her service to the community has spread to the rest of the team.

She said giving back is very rewarding. 

“It feels really good,” said Caldwell. “They just come in with the biggest smile ever, they don’t know anybody and they’re very outgoing and they just want to get their hands on the ball and start practicing. They had a really good time, you could tell.”

During the game, the team announced the Special Olympics athletes with the starters, passed out candy, and let the athletes serve to win t-shirts.

Olson said she’s very lucky to have such a great group of players in her first year as a head coach. 

“I’m really fortunate and blessed to come in with a group like this, Olson said. “We have great senior leaders, but it’s just a great group overall. And so, their enthusiasm and their excitement and their passion for the sport, but also for helping others, has made this year really awesome.”

The Redskins won that game over the Kings —their sixth win in a row.

The school is hoping that momentum from Tuesday can carry over into tonight’s game for the football program as well.