Carmen Calcaterra of Clarkston stood in Comerica Park last Wednesday with a song to sing: the National Anthem.
‘I was nervous,? said Calcaterra. ‘My hands were shaking. But I did it and was happy I did it. Everyone was proud of me. My mom and dad were crying. I felt proud.?
‘It was a once in a lifetime opportunity for her and a proud moment for us,? said her mother, Kathleen Calcaterra .
Carmen sang at two Special Olympics competitions and twice at the SuperStars, a fundraising event for the Special Olympics.
Carmen began singing in middle school and was on choir in high school.
‘She always liked music and could memorize the notes,? said Kathleen.
Carmen’s talent was noticed when her Special Olympics coach heard her sing one day.
From there, Carmen shared her singing with larger audiences.
‘This was actually the first time Special Olympics had this opportunity,? said Michael Canale, director of Special Olympics Public Relations and events coordinator. ‘We knew she could do it.?
Carmen sent an audition tape to the Tigers, and then it was confirmed she would be singing.
From there, they coordinated another Special Olympics athlete, Marty Dynes, 21, of Berrien County to throw the first pitch.
‘We owe a very big thank you to the Detroit Tigers organization,? said Canale. ‘They worked with us to make a very memorable night for our Special Olympics athletes and families.?
Carmen, Kathleen, and her dad, Mark Calcaterra, joined 30 Special Olympics athletes, their coaches, and parents in a ‘meet and greet? with Tigers pitcher Zach Miner.
Currently, Carmen is playing softball, but does not limit herself to one season. She participates all year long. She is also in figure-skating in the winter, swimming in the spring and soccer in the fall.
Her softball team won two games in the Southeast Regional Softball Invitational in Farmington Hills on June 21.
Carmen wasn’t always an athlete.
A mother of one of her friends is a coach for the Special Olympics and kept asking Carmen to join.
‘She coaxed her to the Special Olympics. It blossomed from there,? said Kathleen.
‘At first, I didn’t like sports. It wasn’t fun,? said Carmen. ‘Then, decided to try it. I love it. I am proud. I am ready for more and I have made a lot of new friends.?
Carmen also likes to read. She goes to the library and bookstore when she can.
She likes gardening and plans a trip to Bordine’s to pick up some flowers.
Carmen is also getting ready to visit her brother and sister-in-law in California.
As for the Tigers, Carmen, Kathleen and Mark watched them come back from their loss the previous night and beat the St. Louis Cardinals, 8-7.