2012 Blue-Gold All-Star Buddies announced

The DFRC Blue-Gold All-Star Football Game Committee recently announced that Kayla Kosmalski and Malori Hitchens have been selected as the All-Star Buddies for the 57th annual DFRC Blue-Gold All-Star Football Game. These two young people will represent their respective teams at public events leading up to the game Saturday, June 23.

Kayla Kosmalski is 5 years old and attends Townsend Early Childhood Center. Kayla is the daughter of Amy and Rick Kosmalski, and she will represent the Blue team. Amy Kosmalski, Kayla’s mother, was a Blue cheerleader from Caravel Academy in the 1995 game. Kayla loves cheerleading, music, dancing, playing guitar, making new friends and Justin Bieber. She has been matched with Caravel seniors Elizabeth and Kathryn Gayton, cheerleaders, and Chris Wickes, a football player.

Malori Hitchens will represent the Gold team. Malori is 14 years old and the daughter of James and Terri Hitchens. Malori attends Howard T. Ennis School, and she enjoys bowling, swimming, movies, music and dancing. Malori has been matched with Sussex Central High School seniors Jenna Hitchens, Malori’s cousin and a cheerleader; Samantha Malone, cheerleader; and Brandon Lewis, football player.

Kayla and Malori are both active participants in the DFRC Blue-Gold Hand-In-Hand Program. Started in 1974, this unique program matches the game’s high school participants with a child or young adult who has an intellectual disability. The goal of the program is to provide opportunities to interact in a variety of settings, from dance parties to bowling events and picnics, in the months leading up to the game. Through this program, participants find commonality with their buddies in music, sports, movies and just spending time together.

The Hand-In-Hand Program will have its kickoff event, the Hand-In-Hand Party, Sunday, March 18, 2012, at the Modern Maturity Center in Dover. Typically, this event is attended by more than 300 students, including those involved in the DFRC Blue-Gold All-Star Football Game, and children and young adults with intellectual disabilities.

Look for both Kayla and Malori to appear at many upcoming DFRC Blue-Gold events.