National Youth Forum Inspires All to "Get It Going" by Mollie Birchard and Kylie Boken, Youth Summit Team from Atlantic, Iowa Special Olympics Chairman Tim Shriver makes his point at the National Youth Forum in Ames, Iowa. Participants included Eddie Barbanell (upper left), Special Olympics Florida athlete and co-star of "The Ringer", Erin Vandersee (second from right) and Sharon Duffey (far right), both from North Fayette High School. [Photo by David Peterson/Des Moines Register, used with permission, all rights reserved, © 2006 The Des Moines Register]      > Read the articles written by the Youth Summit Reporters!      >Click here to listen to audio interviews Standing behind the curtains, watching the lights go on. A wave of brightness, and here we are. Tabitha, the Global Messenger speaking at this event, begins the program, and then we’re off! She identifies the states one-by-one, beginning with Alaska. Now you’re probably asking yourself what this spectacular event is, so we’ll just tell you, it is the 2006 National Youth Forum taking place at the first-ever Special Olympics USA National Games, held at the beautiful campus of Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. During the Forum approximately 20 students offer their views on multiple subjects, all revolving around the motto of the Games: "Compete. Empower. Unite." Joining us for the Forum were celebrities including actor/writer/producer Tom Arnold, Eddie Barbanell, co-star of “The Ringer” and Tim Shriver, Chairman of Special Olympics. As the conversation fires up, one main topic seems to be the center point for the discussion, and that is diversity. All the teams on stage share their opinions on the subject, and then the microphone goes out for open discussion in the audience. One boy shares a story with us from his experiences working as a water boy for a local sports team. He was teased and harassed, and he tells how it made him feel really sad. At one point he even shares that he had water spit into his face. This example shows a common attitude toward people with intellectual disabilities, and this is what we are here to change. The National Youth Forum hopes to light a torch in every heart. To light this flame, we all signed a declaration to pledge our commitment that upon returning we will all work in our schools and communities as one to make the world a better place.      < Return to main USA National Games page >