St. Ann School in Emmaus held its annual academic awards ceremony recently with a special guest speaker and former St. Ann student attending.

Principal Diana Kile reminded the students "Each and every one of you … has done wonderful things this year," also noting guest speaker and former St. Ann student Tyler Carter has also accomplished wonders.

St. Ann kindergarten teacher Pamela Caton, remembers Carter as a very nice boy in a class filled with more obvious athletes. Born without a fibula, at age one Carter underwent surgery to amputate his right leg. No one could have predicted he would become a world class skiier.

However, this year Carter raced for the U.S. Paralympic team in the giant slalom in Sochi, Russia. He finished 27 in a field of 50, an incredible feat given two years ago Carter considered abandoning his Paralympic dream.

Although Carter's family moved to Topton after he completed fourth grade, he retains fond memories of his St. Ann experience. Hoping to "Maybe inspire someone here." Carter shared his story.

His love of skiing began when at age eight he attended a ski camp for children with disabilities at the Pennsylvania Center for Adapted Sports at Camelback Mountain. Two years later he was invited to go to Mount Hood, Ore., to train at the National Sports Center for the Disabled. Carter currently trains with the Adaptive Sports Foundation in Windham, N.Y. and the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Winter Park, Colo.

Carter encouraged his young audience to take opportunities to travel and recounted personal experiences. Carter found the people of Sochi "... great. They cheered for everyone [which is] a testament to the spirit of the games." He also confided although Sochi has a McDonald's, the food is not as tasty as served in the United States.

On a more serious note, Carter emphasized the importance of fair play, perserverance, respect and good sportsmanship. For him, these values translate into taking pleasure in opportunities, setting goals and giving back.

In addition to preparing to compete in the 2018 Paralympics in Korea, Carter volunteers at the camp where he first learned to ski and donates his time as a counselor and planning committee member at an amputee youth camp, activities he considers honors.

Exceptional in many ways, Carter is anything but handicapped. As he explained, "Some people may think having a disability is a disadvantage" but he feels blessed. Making the most of his opportunities has opened many doors. By relating his experiences, Carter has provided St. Ann students with the opportunity to build on his example and to continue to achieve wonderful things.