As seven touchdowns struck the score board and gave the crowd an incredible sense of joy, parents and Woodhaven High school students watched kids score touchdown after touchdown. Many don’t know why, or what this day is or who these kids are, but this annual program brings smiles every year. This day is Victory Day, the day that gives children with disabilities a chance to experience a real Friday night football game.
Aaron Segedi is the organizer of this annual program. He started this program to give kids of all ages the same opportunities he was giving his football players when he was a coach at Trenton High School. He aimed to include all high school football players and cheerleaders within the Southeastern Michigan area as well as the Woodhaven Marching Band. All of the students start off by taking pictures with kids and then they form a tunnel for each one of the kids to run through. This year there were a total of 70 participants, compared to last year which was 50 participants. Sophomore Band student Latasha Kyle says, “Honestly it makes everyone’s day to like seeing someone else so happy after all their struggles.” Freshman band student Kierstyn Brock added, “ it was really fun especially being my first year doing it and I can’t wait to do it next year and see everyone”.
High school student participants are the ones that make these kids’ day with their positive energy, dedication of them being there, and the warmness of everyone showing out to cheer for these kids. Yet, this spectacular program is hosted every year and is also broadcasted on the news but many people don’t know about it. Even most of the Woodhaven School District didn’t know what ‘Victory Day’ was. For example, senior Lily Digna said, “I’ve never heard of it before. When I heard about it I thought it was a very good idea but after I knew about it I wanted to know more.” Another student at Woodhaven High School, Hailii Cochrane, stated, “I feel like if victory day had more publicity in the school more people in the school that aren’t in sports would love to come out and make this event bigger than it is with supporters.”
This lovely program within the school isn’t shown enough and very few staff members know about this program at all. So I come to you all who are reading this article to come support these kids next year and make their experience on the field an experience to never forget.
