Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Incoming UNT ELEVAR student a Special Olympics gold medalist



Pilar Rivera is getting every thing to ensure that her huge transfer to Denton in August, which incorporates packing her gold medals from the Special Olympics USA Games.

DENTON, Texas — Pilar Rivera, 20, is getting every thing to ensure that her huge transfer to Denton in August.

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She’s about to hitch the Mean Green household as a first-year student within the ELEVAR program.

“I’m like so excited to come!” the Austin native informed WFAA.

We informed you about this brand-new program again in May. This postsecondary training program for college kids with mental disabilities simply wrapped up its first faculty yr final spring. Now, UNT ELEVAR is on the point of welcome its second spherical of first-year college students in August, together with Rivera.

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“It is my dream to come. Like, I got accepted!” Rivera stated.

And Rivera is bringing some critical {hardware} to her dorm in Denton after competing within the Special Olympics USA Games in June.

She received silver within the all-around and uneven bars and gold in vault and steadiness beam.

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“From Austin, Texas, Pilar Rivera got first place in balance beam. It’s like, ahhh!!! Got excited!” Rivera stated.

ESPN even featured her on their Instagram web page!

For Rivera, the medals are simply the cherry on prime of an expertise that pushed her to develop as an athlete — and as a individual.

“I’m going to challenge myself. Hard and hard, I have worked on gymnastics,” Rivera stated. “If you still lose, you’re always going to be proud of yourself no matter what.”

She’s little doubt happy with all of the medals. But she’s even prouder to be bringing that profitable mentality to campus this fall. And she’s grateful to have a robust assist system behind her.

“I’m trying not to cry,” Rivera stated. “It’s because, like, I was not expecting mom and dad to get me here this far to college.”



story by The Texas Tribune Source link

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