Rising, shining,
shooting STARS

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Jackie Lloyd loves Friday nights, when she gets to take part in the Holy Terrors STARS sports program.
STARS, an acronym for Special Teamwork Attitude Recognition Spirit, is a program for youths with a special need — generally youngsters with autism, but also those with Down syndrome and other mental and physical disorders.
While many of the young people are from the West Mayfair area, special-needs kids from everywhere are welcome.
Jackie, 15, likes to play basketball and munch on snacks and juice. She affectionately refers to program director Cyndi Hinchey as "Hinchey" and hangs out with Patrick Johnson, Tara Wehrman, Karen Bianchi, Lyndsey Prochaska and all of the new friends she has met.
"It’s so much fun," she said. "We move around and get trophies."
Hinchey is a mother of five whose two youngest children, 8-year-old Tommy and 6-year-old Daniel, have autism.
STARS began five years ago, growing out of a small outdoor soccer program. Today there are 60-some youths ranging from 3-year-olds to teenagers. They run track and play basketball, soccer, Wiffle ball, kickball and dodge ball. No score is kept. The focus is on fun, and all participants receive a T-shirt and trophy.
Many autistic children have a lot of energy, and this program allows them to stay active even though they can’t play more organized sports and win championships.
The program’s acronym is fitting, the parents say.
"In our eyes, our children are shooting stars," Hinchey said.
STARS couldn’t be such a success without contributions from a bunch of people. For the last year, the group has used the two gymnasiums at the John M. Perzel Community Center every Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. for free, thanks to the Mayfair Community Development Corporation. Before, the activities took place in the rather small Mayfair Elementary School gym.
Mike Votel is the volunteer coach, game coordinator, mentor and adviser. Kim Wilson handles all the administrative duties.The Holy Terrors Youth Organization does not charge families a registration fee for their child’s participation. Parents, high school students doing community service, and the child’s therapeutic staff support (TSS) person assist the youngsters on the court.
Hinchey, though, is credited with being the driving force.
"She puts her whole heart into this," said Mike Tauscher, president of Holy Terrors.
Hinchey’s goal is to run a program that will allow the parents — who pay so much attention to their children during the week — to simply observe from the bleachers. It’s the end of the work week, and kids generally don’t have homework on the weekends.
"That two-hour break helps them recharge their batteries," Hinchey said.
Suzanne Dalleva brings her 7-year-old son Nicholas, who is autistic with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and sensory integration disorder. Her son was doing just fine last Friday, allowing her to get a head start on her nursing school homework.
"It’s good for Nicky," she said. "He gets to come here, play and be himself."
Dalleva and the other parents raise money by selling car magnets and holding Avon and candle sales. Proceeds go toward a Christmas party, Easter egg hunt, awards ceremonies and special bowling and horse-riding outings.
The group also had its own float in the Mayfair-Holmesburg Thanksgiving Parade and attended a KiXX soccer game.
The feedback Hinchey gets is positive.
"The kids stand at the door waiting to go," she said. "These kids look forward to it every Friday."
Tommy Hinchey, her 8-year-old, has a great time running around the court.
"Mommy, when are we coming back again?" he says at the end of the night.
Tommy Hinchey probably likes STARS because of the work of Votel, affectionately known as "Coach Mike."
A longtime Holy Terrors coach, he runs an informal program and isn’t strict with the kids. Parents like his approach. His goal is to get the youngsters talking and interacting as they’re exercising. He’s been doing it for five years.
"I got hooked the first night," he said. "It’s a social thing for the children, and this is fun for me. I’m going to stay with it forever. The kids are great. They’re the reason I do it." ••
For more information, contact Cyndi Hinchey at 215-331-9876 or chincheystars@yahoo.com or visit the Web site at www.freewebs.com/holyterrorstars
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com