From
The Daily Tribune in Mount Clemens, Mich. In the picture, from left) Mitch Kozlowski, Ryan Horvath, Mike Winters, Jackson Lewis and Peter McAlpine.
Education isn't limited to pencils, pens, lined paper and the classroom.
It is not just the domain of a bunch of computer terminals, memorization or strained three-minute speeches in front of the entire class.
Standardized testing is fine. But stopwatches, number two lead pencils and dutifully filling in squares can truthfully equal the sum total of next to nothing.
Mike Winters is a senior at Lamphere.
"I am the water boy for Lamphere High School," said Mike. "I also help out with basketball, baseball and different sports."
Mike has Down syndrome, a genetic condition in which a person has 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46. Symptoms vary from person to person and can range from mild to severe. Physical development is often slower, and mental and social development can be delayed.
Mike Winters has gotten a fine education in the Lamphere schools. He has been mainstreamed since kindergarten.
Along the way, you get the feeling that Mike Winters has also educated plenty of his peers.
Strong safety/linebacker Steve McAlpine has known Mike since they were both starting grade school together.
"Mike has become just one of the guys," said McAlpine. "He's just another normal kid in class now. At first, going to kindergarten with Mike, all of us were so young that we did not understand," said McAlpine.
"Over the years, we talked to Mike more and learned from him. Our parents helped us learn, too. At first, we were careful and gentle around him. Now, we do not act any differently when Mike is around and he is fine with that.
"Mike has definitely changed how we look at life. I mean, any of us could have a child in the future with Down syndrome," said McAlpine. "It's not just that, either. A car accident or whatever could immediately affect any one of us. I think we are all just more aware."
Mike Winters is usually on the sidelines when the Lamphere football team
plays. While his job description varies, he most often hands out water and encouragement in equal amounts.
Mike's dad, William, has always emphasized involvement for his youngest son. That has hardly been a problem.
Mike has already gotten three honorary varsity letters for his work with the sports teams and earned another for being in the percussion section of the marching band.
He's the official "water boy," said his dad. "Mike helps with the junior varsity and varsity football teams, the basketball team, girls' soccer, softball and baseball. He's just a huge sports fan."
Sports writing is a profession that mostly chronicles accomplishments.
The 72-point headlines drip with admiration for those who score touchdowns, who knock down the winning free throw or smack the homer in the waning moments of the last inning.
The glowing adjectives are usually reserved for the hockey player who rips the slap shot from the point; for the golfer who slides in the 18-foot putt; or the soccer goalie who makes a diving save on the penalty kick.
Mike Winters might not do any of the above. Or maybe he will get a chance someday. Regardless, his accomplishments are many.
Jim Martin is the athletic trainer at Lamphere.
"The thing about Mike is that he is special; he's special for all of the right reasons. What you see is what you get. There is no pretension. He is really fun to be around. He gives me a tremendous amount of help. He is willing to do anything I ask, and he does things without needing to be asked. But that is just the nuts and bolts of it," said Martin.
"What Mike really does for me and what Mike really does for other people is this; he always has a smile and he is always upbeat. I do not know anybody who is not Mike's friend. That is the way he presents himself. If somebody is a little reserved and unsure how to approach Mike, that is no problem. Mike takes care of the approach," continued Martin. "He does not have to be here. There is no paycheck in it for him. He is here because he wants to be here for his friends."
He is part of the drama club. He takes photos for the yearbook. He adores art class and especially likes to draw pictures of houses. He would like to be an architect someday. He loves music, from rap and hip hop to jazz. Among his favorite artists are Drake, 50 Cent and Eminem. He's a big pro wrestling fan.
He loves his mom and dad, William and Karen, and his big brother, Joe, who is 19. Mike loves everything Lamphere.
"I treated Mike the way I treated everyone else. I never looked at his disability. I never looked at him any differently. I think he has turned out real well," said his dad.
The job of educating students continues at Lamphere High School. In the classroom, on the sidelines, and in the dugout.
