At the age of 22, you would have thought that I would have experienced a day like Tuscarora did today. While I have done my fare share of volunteering over the years, there is nothing quite like volunteering for the Lake Placid Ironman. Although I was familiar with this event, I never imagined all of the work that went it to it from both the participants and all of the volunteers.
These athletes of all ages, shapes, and sizes, accomplished a task that I simply could never do. A 140.6 mile race including swimming, followed by biking, and then running through thunderstorms and heat is no easy task. Although we did not complete this race, Tuscarora had the extremely unique and incredible opportunity to be a part of this experience and volunteer. The campers were split up into groups and spread across the race to help hand out water, snacks, ice and so much more to these athletes as they raced by. However, it wasn't just the handing of cups that made this so special. First, it was cheering on the athletes and seeing all of the heart and soul they put into this race. But then, it was me looking at these campers and seeing all of the heart and soul they were putting into the volunteering.
This summer, the Tuscarorans will be completing their very own triathlon. While it won't be a 140.6 mile event, these campers will put all of their heart and soul into it just like the iron men and women. I could see it in their eyes and hear it in their voices over their 5 hours of volunteering how much this day impacted them. Tusc 2014 was a part of something much bigger than ourselves today, and it could not have been more rewarding and life changing for us all.
Shayna DeMari
Tusc Counselor
