Published: November 06, 2009 09:52 pm      

'An inspiration': Handicap doesn’t stop teen from pursuing her dream

Chelsey McCallay wears a smile as wide as the banner she carries as a member of the Blacklick Valley High School Marching Band.

“I like the excitement of a parade or football game,” said Chelsey, 13, a seventh-grade pupil at the school. “It’s nice to perform before a crowd.”

Chelsey’s dream of becoming a member of the band’s color guard came true at the end of last year when she learned that the school was seeking recruits from the class heading to Grade 7.

Chelsey, who does double duty as a flag twirler, has been as much an inspiration to everyone in the band as they have to her.

Chelsey’s story is about much more than learning how to twirl a flag or play an instrument.

It’s about treating others as one would like to be treated and banding together for a common goal.

Chelsey, who has Down syndrome, doesn’t have any handicap in the eyes of the other girls in the color guard.

Chelsey’s mother, Darlene McCallay, said Chelsey isn’t always quite in synchronization with the other girls, but that the other girls don’t mind.

“They want her there, and they are happy to have her with them.

“She has made a lot of friends, and her friends take care of her.

“Those girls are fabulous. I think the world of them. They make her feel part of the crowd,” McCallay said.

She said the band director and the advisers have been great and do an excellent job with the band.

“We really appreciate them,” she said.

McCallay said that she and her husband, David, are proud of their daughter.

Band director Linda Smeed said Chelsey does a good job with the band and is a dedicated member.

“She never misses practice and is always at every event,” she said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s cold or hot, she is there.”

Chelsey gets a little embarrassed sometimes and is fearful that she won’t be able to succeed at something, she said.

“But she does her best,” Smeed said. “She is an inspiration for all of us.

“All the girls love her. It’s like she’s everybody’s sister.”

Joan Villa, who coaches the color guard along with Jessica Strazisar, said Chelsey is always in a cheerful mood and enjoys being called by the nickname “Blue Sky.”

“If she finds out that one of the other girls is having a bad day, she cheers her up,” she said.

“She inspires the other girls by not becoming upset when she doesn’t do everything perfectly,” Villa said. “So when the other girls make a mistake, they know it’s all right.”

The band, which in addition to football games performs at parades and Memorial Day and Veterans Day events, does an excellent job, Villa said.

The size of the band has decreased for various reasons through the years, but it remains a potent force, she said.

“Through the skills of the musicians and color guard, we’re able to continue to put on a wonderful show whether it be a parade or halftime show,” she said.