Everybody needs to feel accomplished and someone who means something to others. In efforts to facilitate that, Manitoba Special Olympics held a tournament for basketball on February 22nd in Winnipeg at the Sport for Life Centre downtown. Portage Collegiate Institute Senior Life Skills Teacher Maria Metzlaff says all the students in her program attended and played basketball against different schools.

"It was a fabulous experience," says Metzlaff. "There were some games like 3-on-3 basketball. Some students have a more difficult time throwing the basketball, so there were others just practicing and shooting. All the kids had a fabulous time."

Six students represented PCI and five participated. Metzlaff notes one had never been involved in a special activity before and decided they just wanted to watch and see what it was all about, adding that sometimes people aren't used to doing different things.

"You don't keep score at Special Olympics," explains Metzlaff. "Everyone won first place. Just being there and getting the experience and playing basketball with other friends is the reward and makes a big difference."

She notes Bert de Vries is a Phys-Ed teacher at PCI and took to the event. 

"The kids just absolutely loved it. You can see how happy and excited they were." 

Metzlaff adds several photos were taken of the event along with the 'Yes I Can' awards night that they have posted on their wall at the school.