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Having fun knows no boundaries

| 16 Sep 2014 | 01:58
    Photos by Viktoria-Leigh Wagner Special Education teacherWilliam H. Percey, Jr., addresses the students before awarding each with a medal.
    Photos by Viktoria-Leigh Wagner Special Education teacherWilliam H. Percey, Jr., addresses the students before awarding each with a medal.
    Bridghit Poft, 13, of Wantage shines as a High Point cheerleader, sporting school colors and flashing pom-poms
    Bridghit Poft, 13, of Wantage shines as a High Point cheerleader, sporting school colors and flashing pom-poms
    Special Education teacher coach William H. Percey, Jr., helps sophomore Tyler Barker, 15, put on his football jersey. Barker, after noticing the number 'three' on his jersey, exclaimed, "Babe Ruth's New York Yankees jersey number! I know my baseball!"
    Special Education teacher coach William H. Percey, Jr., helps sophomore Tyler Barker, 15, put on his football jersey. Barker, after noticing the number 'three' on his jersey, exclaimed, "Babe Ruth's New York Yankees jersey number! I know my baseball!"
    High Point cheerleading squad, coached this year by Guidance Counselor Maggie Meyer, preparing to cheer on their fellow students.
    High Point cheerleading squad, coached this year by Guidance Counselor Maggie Meyer, preparing to cheer on their fellow students.

SUSSEX BOROUGH — Victory Day began with the purpose of building character in the hearts and minds of the young varsity football players at Trenton High School, but more importantly, of teachcing selflessness and servant leadership.

The program, which was started in 2010 by Trenton, Mich., with varsity football defensive coordinator Aaron Segedi, has recently been installed at High Point Regional High School with 17-year special education teacher William H. Percey at the helm.

Last Saturday night marked High Point's second annual Victory Day, where a little bit of rain didn’t hold anyone back from having a good time.

Seeking out positive programs to start at High Point, Percey says he stumbled across Segedi’s story online.

“Victory Day is an interactive game-day experience for special education students,” Percey said. “I contacted [Segedi] for advice and ideas. We incorporate students, cheerleaders, football players and the marching band to guide the students through football, soccer and basketball drills. It’s a day where everyone — specifically those that struggle with physical and/or mental challenges — gets to be recognized for their successes. For many participants, Victory Day will provide them a chance to live out a dream.”

The High Point junior varsity football team, having won their first game against Mount Olive High the day prior, 18-6, had the opportunity to share in that win by participating in Victory Day.

Junior Garrett Bahr of Wantage plays on the high school’s varsity football team, also present for the activities.

"I'm just helping out a good cause," he said. "Our varsity captain, Ryan Sunda told us about it, and there’s nothing I’d rather be doing right now.”

Sunda, a senior, said he participated in last year’s Victory Day with peer senior Nicholas Juliano of Sussex.

“I decided it would be the right thing to have all of the football guys come down and help," Sunday said. "Last year was fun. It was nice to see everybody running around and having a good time.”

Juliano echoed this feeling.
“It’s good to see the smiles on the kids’ faces," he said. "I always love that; it’s a cool thing to see.”

Segedi is a two-time cancer survivor.

"After having a couple of scares with death, he decided to do something bigger than just football,” said Percey. “I myself, was head football coach, at High Point for three years and have since have moved on to coach at Kittatinny Regional High School. I have a vision of bringing Victory Day countywide.”

Percey said although Victory Day got off to a slow start last year, he is trying to build it up as much as possible.

"[Segedi's] advice to me was to gather as much support as I could while putting Victory Day together at High Point," he said. "That's where it all starts."

Sussex-County Sheriff Michael Strada distributed medals to each of the students that participated at the close of the event.

“I think Victory Day is great,” he said. “It really just shows a sense of community and pride for the kids, the band, cheerleaders and football team to come out and participate. This is the kind of event that can only grow. I, myself, travel a lot to different events all over the county in my line of work, and there’s nothing else like this.”