Texas Border Business
PHARR – Making district history, three PSJA Pathways Toward Independence Program (PSJA PTI) students recently competed at the Special Olympics Texas 2020 Winter Games for Powerlifting held Jan. 25 in Bedford, TX. Two athletes, Jocelyne Herrera and Tommy Livigni were named State Champions in the Bench category.
The PSJA Pathways Toward Independence Program (PSJA PTI) promotes the continued development of vocational training skills and/or functional independent living skills to assist special needs students ages 14 to 21 in becoming emergent adults in the community.
The students, Jocelyne Herrera, Tommy Livigni, and Robert Rios, are under the athletic direction of Head Coach Stephanie King and Assistant Coach Lilly Cuellar. According to the coaches, the athletes exceeded their expectations and beamed with pride after each successful lift at the state competition, showing how hard work pays off.
“We are super proud of their accomplishment. This was the first time that our students compete in Powerlifting for Special Olympics,” said the PSJA PTI Director Veronica Quintana. “It’s so exciting because our students are now looking forward to participating in more competitions. We are so proud of their dedication and commitment to compete.”
Creating new and unique opportunities for students is something that the PSJA PTI Program takes pride in as it provides unforgettable learning experiences for students.
“There is truly nothing our students can’t do with the right guidance and support,” said PSJA Superintendent Dr. Jorge L. Arredondo. “We are so proud of our students and their coaches for this accomplishment and for representing our district at State.”
Their results were as follows:
Squat
Tommy Livigni – 3rd Place, Weight Division 114lbs
Robert Ríos – 2nd Place, Weight Division 181lbs
Bench Females
Jocelyne Herrera- 1st Place Weight Division 123lbs
Bench
Tommy Livigni – 1st Place Weight Division 114lbs
Robert Ríos – 2nd Place Weight Division 181lbs
Deadlift
Tommy Livigni – 2nd Place Weight Division 114lbs
Robert Ríos- 2nd Place Weight Division 181lbs
Overall
Tommy Livigni – 2nd Place Weight Division 114lbs
Robert Ríos- 2nd Place Weight Division 181lbs
 students recently competed at the Special Olympics Texas 2020 Winter Games for Powerlifting held Jan. 25 in Bedford, TX.){kind=link}