Azerbaijan may be 6,000 miles away, but sophomore Zackery Gibbs and senior Patrick Driscoll are willing to go the distance.

The pair will travel to Azerbaijan from Sept. 24 through 28 to participate in the Special Olympics Global Youth Leadership Forum. Special Education Director Adam Garrett, Special Olympics Assistant Director Jillian Schneider and Coach David Wiant will accompany them.

According to the Special Olympics website, participants from around the world will engage in workshops, meetings and programs to reach their goal of promoting Special Olympics and inclusivity globally.

“It’s mostly meant to promote the particular unified sports around the world. The focus is trying to find ways to promote and facilitate the unified sports,” EHS special education teacher Chris Sumpter said.

Mr. Sumpter coaches Gibbs in unified flag football, a program in which students with and without disabilities play together. Gibbs participates in many other sports, including EHS cross country.

“Basketball is my favorite because I get to shoot baskets,”Gibbs said. “My favorite part of Special Olympics is I get to see all my friends,”

The Edwardsville Special Education Department selected Gibbs and his Unified Peer Partner, Driscoll, to represent District 7.

“After writing a short bio on the two of us and answering a couple questions, Special Olympics deemed us a good fit for the summit,” Driscoll said.

Driscoll hopes to initiate progress for Special Olympics while attending the event.

“My biggest goal is to help grow the program here locally. Whether that be greater athlete participation, more available sports, or even just an increase in fans – garnering crowds similar to what you would see at a varsity football game – that would be truly amazing,” Driscoll said.

Mr. Sumpter anticipates that Gibbs will represent EHS well.

“He’s such a good representative for our school, and to represent us at this opportunity is going to be something that’s really good for our school and for Zack.”