Who would have known that Salem is chock-full of romantic historians who like the idea of darting, dodging, shouting and near misses? Salem Classical Fencing started as a program at the YMCA in 2004. Now, youth and adults have unlimited opportunity to learn and perfect their fencing technique.
For some, fencing is a release and something fun. Others want the opportunity to rise to the top. From teens to adults, there is a spot for everyone. On Saturday, February 5, 16-year-old Isabel Ford of Salem added another fencing medal to her collection. She earned it for placing sixth out of 148 in Cadet Women’s epee at the Vigor Challenge in Goteborg, Sweden in her first-ever international fencing competition.
“It is incredible just to be here. I’m ecstatic!” said Ford after receiving her medal. Awarding the medals was Bjorne Vaggo, silver medalist in men’s epee for Sweden at the 1984 Olympic Games.
“She made our club proud. In fencing, it’s unusual for clubs outside of major cities to field international competitors. Even more so for clubs as young as ours,” said Michael Heggen, her coach.
“Salem likes fencing,” said Jill Summers, executive director at Salem Classical Fencing. “We are pretty small with about 100 fencers. The competition gets fierce between you and your opponent. Some like it for the historical component, while others are real big into team sports, but want to do the best they can on a personal level. And sure, we do get the Jedi Knight folks.”
Salem Classical Fencing works to bridge barriers in our community by teaching honor, chivalry, and respect through the art and sport of fencing. The program started with about 20 fencers. “We started out with quite a few youth fencers. But pleasantly, we have an influx of adults returning to the sport,” said Summers.
Summers is the only full-time staffer. “We have different levels of teaching ability and only four part-time staffers. What helps is the community aspect of the classes. Everyone pitches in and helps people out. They love to share what they know.”
The winning business plan for the nonprofit organization starts with a mission statement that isn’t exclusive. “We strive to make our programs and services available to all, regardless of ability to pay, through sliding scale rates and scholarships."
Now, the organization is offering a unique program: wheelchair fencing.
“We have been working with the Chemeketa Community College to help us with a stage and platforms for the fencers,” said Summers.
“This is going to allow people who either use a wheelchair or have difficulties with balance an opportunity to experience fencing,” said Rebecca Bolante, MS, CRC, and Disability Services Coordinator at Chemeketa Community College.
Mike Pintler, welding professor at Chemeketa Community College has been working on the project. “He did an excellent job meeting the needs for this specialized platform,” said Summers.
“We are also excited to announce that we were awarded a grant from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. They awarded us a $1,529 'Quality of Life' grant to get equipped. We just found out and we are very excited,” said Summers.
Wheelchair fencing is unique. “Instead of moving up and down, the fencing takes place in a much smaller, compact space, maybe three to four meters in length and about one meter wide. Fencers' chairs are hooked into a frame so that they
do not roll or tip over, and so that all the action takes place literally an arm’s length distance between opponents. Fencers shift around in their seats in order to hit the other fencer.
The need for wheelchair fencing is just as important for the community as the traditional fencing classes. “Sports are important; art is important. It’s the way we work through our problems and get strong and healthy to learn about ourselves.
We thought making fencing more available would fit our mission statement. We wanted to literally do that by building ramps and welcome people in."
What's next? “We want to offer more low-cost after-school programs. We would like to get more fencers to national as well. Nationals are at Reno this year. We hope to take a large group there. We have about five youth in the area who are at this level. It is expensive, so we would have more but it’s about finding the funding to bring the talent.”
No comments:
Post a Comment