There was a real buzz of excitement in school today as we welcomed back former WHS student Anna Nicholson with her Paralympic medal.
It was fascinating to hear of Anna’s experience competing for Team GB in Paris this summer. She secured her medal in the women’s F35 shot put event, with a phenomenal 9.44m throw.
Anna said, “I realised I had secured a medal before my final throw, but still had to remain calm and give my best for that throw.” She added, “It was great to have my family there to watch as they couldn’t be at the previous Tokyo Paralympics. I was also surprised to see my first coach in the audience too; it was very emotional.”
During Anna’s visit, she happily allowed students and staff to look at and touch her beautiful bronze medal. Everyone was astounded by how heavy it is!
A showcase of inclusive sports with past and present students was held in the Sports Hall and Anna spent some time with students who currently attend our inclusive sport clubs; she even joined in a game of boccia!
Tracey Croucher, Inclusive Sports Lead for WHS and Cumbria said, “It was wonderful to see Anna today after so many years. It took me back to the early years when I first introduced Boccia at the school and she came along to the club. I took her to her first inclusive athletics event, and it was here that her talent for throwing was spotted. Today really drove home to me how important it is to offer sports opportunities to all students as you never know where it might lead them in the future, not only to personal satisfaction, a sense of belonging, achievement or even an Olympic or Paralympic medal. Anna is a true inspiration.”
Year 7 student, Poppy Paterson presented Anna with a bouquet and a card that had been signed by WHS students. We were honoured to have our local MP, Julie Minns, present to congratulate Anna too.
Anna’s visit coincided with World Cerebral Palsy Day, which takes place each year on 6th October, so we were very pleased to have Mark Jones and Emily Breaks from Cumbria Cerebral Palsy join us. In support of the charity, a cake sale was held during break time and Sixth Form students wore green. £200 was raised which will go to the charity that, among its work, helps provide specialist sports wheelchairs for young people in the area.
Anna is hoping to compete in the LA games in four years and gain more medals before then at various competitions. We are incredibly thankful to her for taking time out of her schedule to visit us today.
Ms Pigdon, Headteacher said, “As a school, we could not be prouder to welcome Anna back to William Howard following her incredible achievement on the world stage. Anna’s Paralympic triumph has inspired our entire school community to dream big and strive for excellence. We are honoured to celebrate this with Anna and take immense pride and joy, knowing that her journey began right here.”
Film crews from BBC’s Look North and ITV’s Border News were also here to capture Anna visit, so checkout out the evening’s reports!