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Leadership material

Even at 11, this athlete knows she wants to coach others.

By MIKE CAMUNAS, Times Correspondent
Published November 16, 2007

ZEPHYRHILLS

Scarlett Lawhorne was given a choice.

This 11-year-old is an athlete with BlazeSports of Tampa Bay, a national organization that helps physically disabled kids participate in sports, and she was given the option either to move up and practice with the older kids, or to stay back and help younger kids practice and befriend newer kids to BlazeSports.

For her, the decision was easy.

"I really like helping kids," Lawhorne said. "Most of the younger kids are my friends, but I like helping the new ones that have come to BlazeSports. I thought it was a pretty easy choice, and it's what I wanted to do."

Lawhorne was born with spina bifida, which means "cleft spine" and is characterized by the incomplete development of the brain, spinal cord and/or meninges the protective covering around the brain and spinal cord.

After five years with BlazeSports, Lawhorne said she has improved in track and field events, including the javelin and shot put, and has improved her timing and stroke in the 100-meter swim.

She is also anticipating the start of wheelchair basketball.

However, Lawhorne has only begun to be a leader.

"She's like a mother," Tampa chapter sports director Andy Chasanoff said. "She was given the choice of which group she wanted to go with, and we're hoping to develop her leadership and being able to help our newer and younger athletes approach practice the right way. ...she's a good example to follow."

Lawhorne has won numerous medals in three National Junior Disability Championships, and said that sooner, rather than later, she would like to train and participate in the Paralympics.

While Chasanoff jokingly calls her a chatterbox, Lawhorne's mother, Scarlett Smith, says her daughter has gained plenty of confidence since joining BlazeSports.

Smith said she knows why Lawhorne made the choice to help out.

"That's her gig - she likes to be large and in charge," Smith said. "She more than jumped at the chance to help and to be a leader of the younger kids. She wants to be more of a leader than a follower. That's because she has no problem telling people there's a better way to do this or to encourage younger kids.

"Being a leader is right up her alley."

Perhaps being a chatterbox helps her fit right in at BlazeSports.

Lawhorne knows she and her peers are "there to play sports. We're friends and we're all the same, but I mean, we're there to have fun."

And that's probably how - and when - the disabilities disappear.

"When you're at BlazeSports, it doesn't feel like there are any wheelchairs," Scarlett said.

"And it's never felt like that. I mean, once we're all together, we're all the same and no one sees the other's disabilities.

"I think that's how it should be."

Submit feedback, story ideas to communitysports@tampabay.com or call (352) 544-9480.

FAST FACTS

About Scarlett Lawhorne

Age: 11

School: Stuart Middle

Grade: Sixth

Favorite pro athlete: Paul Schulte, a member of the Dallas Wheelchair Mavericks

Favorite team: USA Paralympic Basketball Team

Favorite sports: Basketball and swimming

When she grows up: Scarlett would like to be a teacher who works with physically disabled kids.

[Last modified November 15, 2007, 20:34:07]