Special Olympics 2025 Special Edition

Letters From Lauren: Dear Special Olympics

Lauren Armstrong, Associate EIC

November 5, 2025

The 2025 SpO Committee seniors at their Labor Day retreat.

Dear Special Olympics,

Each fall, the Villanova community comes together to host Fall Fest, the largest annual student run Special Olympics event in the world. This weekend celebrates the accomplishments of the athletes who come and make it to this level of competition.

However, Fall Fest has another layer attached to it. In addition to celebrating the athletes, Fall Fest teaches the Villanova community the importance of inclusion and supports the opportunities for Villanova students to form life long relationships and friendships with the athletes who come to campus to compete. The lessons of inclusion and acceptance are those that the Villanova community will carry with us for the rest of our lives, but do not just take this sentiment from me, but from some of the senior members of the Special Olympics committee.

“Dear Special Olympics,

Someone once told me that inclusion isn’t just inviting someone to the party but pulling them onto the dance floor with you. That’s exactly what you’ve done for me — welcomed me in as an eager LPH, helped me find my closest friends who believe in your incredible mission of inclusion and connected me with the most inspiring athletes over the past four years. You’ve not only transformed my college experience but have shaped the way I think and lead my life with compassion. You’ve taught me lessons and given me a love for advocacy that I’ll carry into every community I join beyond Villanova. Thank you for filling my college years with purpose, empathy and the kind of joy that can only be found on the Fall Fest dance floor.

With love and gratitude,

Ella Bergschneider, DEI and Awareness Chair 2025”

“Dear Special Olympics,

Thank you. Genuinely thank you for giving me the opportunity to see just how valuable inclusion can be. Over the past four years, I’ve seen Special Olympics change in themes, in volunteers, in athletes. Yet at the core of it all, there is one mission that has remained: love. Thank you for showing me just how powerful spreading this love can be. Most of all, thank you for showing me that these ideas of inclusion aren’t just confined to three days in November — they are timeless.

Much love,

Rob Vagnini, Awards Chair 2025”

“Dear Special Olympics,

Thank you for making me a better person and showing me what it truly means to spread joy and love. Over the past 4 years, you have given the Villanova community and myself countless opportunities to learn the best ways to ensure everyone in our community feels valued, loved and included. I have developed relationships that have taught me to celebrate small victories and embrace valuable life lessons that come from obstacles or challenges. Lastly, you have allowed me to grow and cultivate a mindset of openness, which has allowed me to continue building relationships I will cherish far beyond Fall Fest and my time at Villanova. Thank you for everything! I don’t know where I’d be without you.

Love always,

Megan Maloney, Evals Chair 2025”

“Dear Special Olympics,

Thank you for being a home that introduced me to the mission of inclusion and brought me closer to people united by that mission. Thank you to the athletes, the volunteers and to Fall Fest for the endless positivity and compassion these last four years.

Much love,

Joe Ciampa, Unified Chair 2025”

“Dear Special Olympics,

Over the past 4 years you have opened up to me a whole new world I never expected walking onto Villanova’s campus. I have been lucky enough to meet some of my closest friends and a community I can call home. Most importantly, I have built memories and relationships that will last a lifetime with athletes and have learned to bring their contagious energy to my everyday life. These 4 years have been nothing short of amazing and I will continue to find ways to be involved with Special Olympics past my time at Villanova.

Best,

Nick Grieco, Long Distance Running & Walking Chair 2025”

So, thank you, Special Olympics for allowing the Villanova community to be a part of this special weekend. You have been a beacon of love, acceptance and inclusion on campus for both the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania athletes and for the Villanova community.

With love always,

Lauren and Senior Members of the 2025 Special Olympics Committee

Donate to The Villanovan

$4000

$2500

Contributed

Our Goal

Your donation will support the student journalists of The Villanovan with technological needs, training, etc!

About the Contributors

Lauren Armstrong, Associate Editor-in-Chief

Lauren Armstrong is a junior Public Service and Administration and Communication double major, minoring in Peace and Justice. She is in her first year as Associate Editor-in-Chief in 2025 after serving as Co-News Editor in 2024. Lauren’s passion for politics and on campus events has led her to cover a variety of stories since her freshman year. Lauren prides herself in her very detailed and color-coded Google Calendar, and when she is not running around campus between classes and a million meetings, she can be found listening to music, hanging out with friends or reading a new book.

Kailey Fahy, Co-Opinion Editor

Kailey Fahy is a sophomore Co-Opinion editor of The Villanovan studying Communications with a specialization in journalism. As the oldest daughter with four younger siblings, Kailey is often described as a people pleaser who is no stranger to chaos. Kailey has always had a passion for English and writing and has even been published in The America Library of Poetry. She especially enjoys being able to give people a voice to share their opinions through her articles. As a New Jersey native, you can find her spending every sunny day between Memorial Day and school’s start at the Jersey Shore, Playa Bowl in hand.