Our Communication Sciences & Disorders graduate students had the opportunity to put their learning into action while giving back to the community through the Special Olympics. Under the guidance of Dr. Leah Velarde, students participated in hearing screenings for athletes and their families, gaining hands-on clinical experience while building meaningful connections. Two students, Sammy Claros and Maddie Riley,  share what made this experience both impactful and unforgettable.

Sammy Claros 

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Special Olympics! I was able to 1) learn and gain experience doing hearing treatments with the support of my classmates, my professor, and students and faculty from other schools.  And 2) most importantly, meet the athletes and their families! They bring so much light into the room, excited to be there, eager to share about their sports, and are all so patient and kind with us as students learning how to use new equipment. It truly is such a wonderful experience, and it’s so fun that the day always goes by way too quickly! I can’t wait to return to the next games!”

Maddie Riley 

​”Working the Healthy Hearing tent at the Special Olympics Fall 2025 games was an incredibly rewarding experience. I had the opportunity to meet many athletes and their families while collaborating with the team to assess their hearing. The athletes were eager to participate and were an absolute joy to work with. One aspect of the Fall Games I especially enjoyed was working alongside the other SLP and Audiology graduate students. Assessing the various aspects of the athletes’ hearing together was amazing and reinforced the importance of working with other professionals. Special Olympics is something I look forward to each year, as I enjoy interacting with the athletes, their families, and working as a team.”

CSD Special Olympics