Whitney Point junior Sam Dimascio recently proved he has what it takes to be a team leader. He was one of only six students selected across New York state to attend the National Federation of State High School Association's National Student Leadership Conference held in Indianapolis, IN. in July.

Students from 30 states and Canada attended group sessions and listened to various speakers to learn about the favorable attributes of teamwork, positive values and sportsmanship, and community service.

Dimascio, a football and lacrosse player for Whitney Point High School, said he "enjoyed the whole experience and liked being around other students who shared similar goals."

In addition to taking part in various team projects, listening to noted speakers and meeting several Olympians, Dimascio also took part in a community service project to help clean up schools in the Indianapolis area. 

Dimascio went away with a stronger sense of what it takes to be a leader and says his goal is to start a leadership group among the various school sports at Whitney Point.

Caption: Sam Dimascio (front) with other students and team leaders representing New York state.

By George Basler, Press & Sun-Bulletin

CASTLE CREEK -- Jesica Buckley got some warnings about her fellow competitors when she arrived at the 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games.

She was told "there are girls here who will blow you out of the water," the 16-year-old Castle Creek teenager said, with a laugh.

But Buckley felt differently: "I can take these girls," she thought.

That wasn't braggadocio. The teenager has returned home with two medals -- a silver medal in the 1,500 meters, and a gold medal in the 3,000 meters.

Buckley was one of eight athletes from across New York who represented the state in the national competition, held July 18-23 in Lincoln, Neb. Almost 3,000 Special Olympics athletes from across the United States competed in 13 events.

Buckley, who was born with a learning disability, has competed in Special Olympics for five years and amassed a collection a medals from state and regional competitions. But this was her first trip to the national competition.

"I loved it. I cheered everybody on," she said.

During the school year, Buckley attends the Endicott Learning Center, run by the Broome- Tioga Board of Educational Services, and also runs for Whitney Point High School, her home high school.

"We're very excited and very proud of her," said Murphee Hayes, Whitney Point athletic director and head track coach.

While Buckley's times don't place her among the elite runners, the young woman "holds her own" in competitions and also contributes to the team through her positive, upbeat attitude, Hayes said.

While workouts are tough, Hayes said she likes track because it's an individual sport, and she can set her own goals.

"I love setting personal records," she said.

Her goal for the coming year is to log a time of 13 minutes in the 3,000-meter event. She also plans to run cross country for Whitney Point.