Manager brings “light” to VHS basketball team

Behind the Scenes

TOME—When it comes to sports, many of us claim that no one loves our favorite team as much as we do. You may have heard someone say in the past few months, “I’m the biggest Cowboys fan.”

However, for the girls’ basketball team at Valencia High School, Josh Barela, a student with special needs, is the undisputed biggest Jaguars fan.

The VHS junior attends every game — girls and boys — surrounded by family and friends.

Plus, he is a manager for the VHS girls’ basketball class that ends the school day. Barela takes part even though disabilities limit him verbally and have left him in a wheelchair.

Coach Micaela Medina is a special education teacher at VHS and tries to bring inclusion to the classroom and the gymnasium.

“It’s important for students with disabilities to be involved with everything in this school and be involved with their peers,” Medina said.

It’s obvious how much Barela enjoys the class as he watches the players move up and down the court. He’s attentive, often smiling or laughing.

“Josh is awesome because he brings such a light to this team. He’s got one of the brightest smiles,” Medina said.

With a little encouragement from Medina, Barela says he enjoys practices and feels a part of the team.

Perhaps his favorite role is when he helps with the zig-zag dribble drill. Barela zips his motorized wheelchair onto the court and sets up as a defender, with the player’s crossover dribbling in front of him before going to the basket.

“It’s good. Fun,” Barela explains.

“We give him a role where he feels included — his work is recognized and respected,” Medina adds.

It’s a two-way street.  Barela, like many boys his age, is shy around girls. He drew a picture and gifted it to the team, and asked for and received autographs from the players.

“I told him, ‘You’re going to be in the paper so we’ll ask you for your autograph,’” Medina said. “He was really excited about that.”