Down Syndrome Athlete Inspires Lessons At School

When Mark Montanari scored four points recently in a Starpoint JV basketball game, it proved that hard work, dedication, and not setting limits can result in great things.

And those are all some of the concepts and lessons that Mark and his classmates at BOCES in North Tonawanda are learning as they prepare to get jobs once they leave school.

And to reinforce that message, Mark's teachers showed the story 2 On Your Side did on Mark recently, which highlighted the practice and perseverance that led to his getting into a game.

"Sometimes when we do things over and over again, that's when we really get it perfect," said Rich Wolf, a BOCES teacher to Mark and his classmates. "Do we just do it at the high school, or something else?"

"At home and on the job," said one of the kids.

"On the job, right. Because all of this, when we're practicing is for when we leave high school and go out into the community for a job," said Wolf.

Mark's classmates believe he was pretty brave for doing what he did.

And perhaps the bravest thing he did of all, was just saying he wanted to play basketball - not for the Special Olympics - but for the Starpoint team.

"So whether you play basketball or you don't play basketball, who's decision is it?" Wall asked Mark.

"Mine," said Mark.

"Yours exactly. You get to decide what you're going to do in your life," Wolf told the class. "How do you go about doing some of those things?"

"Working hard and trying?" one of the kids asked.

" Working hard and trying, those are two really important ideas when there's something we didn't think we could do," said Wolf.

And it sure seems like Mark's example is setting quite an example for his classmates.

"He showed me not to be scared or afraid," said Christiana Wallace.

"Dreams can come true," said Brendan Blenker.