Staff Writer
Staff photo/Kathy McCartyOfficer Kevin Schumacher and his tracking Bloodhound, Hunter, both of the PIPD, worked with Hillary Griffin, a local teen with Down’s Syndrome, to find out why people with such conditions are harder to track. One theory is such individuals may lack fear when lost and therefore don’t give off the same scent as someone showing signs of fear in a similar situation. For her efforts, Griffin will be traveling to California, courtesy of Youth Service America and Disney, to take part in Miley Cyrus’s Sweet 16 Celebration.
“Hillary worked with Officer Kevin Schumacher (of the PIPD) and Hunter (the department’s K-9 tracking dog) in 2006-2007 to train Hunter to successfully track/trail persons with Down’s Syndrome,” said Nancy Griffin, Hillary’s mother.
According to Schumacher, bloodhounds are great trackers but have had difficulty in the past locating individuals with such conditions.
“It may be because people with such things as Down’s Syndrome don’t respond the same when they get lost. They don’t move in logical patterns and may circle or walk randomly,” said Schumacher.
Another possibility is the fact people who are lost give off different scents due to their fear level affecting hormones. Someone with Down’s Syndrome doesn’t necessarily have that fear and subsequently won’t have the chemical changes fear creates in others. This may be one reason bloodhounds have a harder time detecting persons with such conditions.
“Alzheimer patients are similar cases. They wander aimlessly,” said Schumacher.
Hunter did better than expected when working with Hillary, locating her on several occasions during the testing period. Hillary made use of the training, incorporating the study into a Scouting project as well. For her efforts she’s been rewarded with an all-expenses-paid trip to California.
“This is the culmination of a year-long project to put on a ‘Project Find Me’ fun day on National and Global Youth Service Day to teach local youth some survival skills as well as what to do if they got lost. Hillary applied for a grant to complete the project from the Bubel/Aiken Foundation through Youth Service America,” said Nancy.
It came as quite a surprise when the family was notified Hillary had been selected to take part in the birthday bash for Miley Cyrus.
“We got a call from Nandini Assar at Youth Service America telling us that she had chosen Hillary from a group of thousands of youth volunteers to attend Miley Cyrus’ 16th birthday party in Disneyland, California,” said Nancy.
In a followup letter, Assar indicated Hillary had been selected “because of your exemplary service to your community by Youth Service America and Siney to attend Miley Cyrus’ (Hannah Montana) ‘Sweet 16’ Birthday Celebration honoring youth volunteers at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif.”
Assar went on in the letter to state, “You will represent YSA as one of 10 stellar youth who are serving their communities.”
The big event takes place this weekend, with Cyrus’ 16th birthday being celebrated on Oct. 5. Cyrus was actually born on Nov. 23, 1992, but due to scheduling conflicts, the party had to be planned for October.
“It’s actually close to Hillary’s birthday – Oct. 7,” said Nancy. “She’d planned a Hannah Montana birthday, had selected all the decorations. Now she’ll be spending it instead with her in person.”
Hillary’s entire family will be making the trip.
“My mom, dad and sister are going too,” said Hillary. “I’m taking my digital camera and hope to get lots of pictures of Miley on stage. I want to see her perform.”
The event is designed to recognize youth volunteers and their efforts to better their communities.
“To honor the occasion and Miley’s philanthropic passion, Disneyland Resort in California has created ‘Miley’s Sweet 16 – Share the Celebration,’ an unforgettable event for Miley and her fans that also will serve to recognize Youth Service America and help drive awareness of the need for youth volunteerism,” said Assar.
Cyrus looks forward to sharing the experience with friends, both old and new.
“I only turn 16 once, so it’s going to be an awesome party with my favorite rides, hanging out with friends, fireworks and more,” said Cyrus. “I’ll even get to sing a couple songs.”
In addition to all the birthday fun, Assar said Cyrus’ Sweet 16 will shine a spotlight on Youth Service America, an organization that seeks to improve communities by increasing the number and the diversity of young people, ages 5 to 25, serving as volunteers.
In keeping with Cyrus’s passion for youth volunteerism, Disney Parks will make a significant contribution to YSA.
With YSA’s involvement in the celebration, Cyrus said she hopes that other young Americans will be encouraged to volunteer.
“The best part of the party is we’re going to recognize some really cool kids from Youth Service America who are giving back to their community,” Cyrus said. “That’s so awesome because I think it’s really important for kids like us to volunteer.”
The Griffins will spend four days in California.
“We’re leaving on Oct. 3 and come back on Oct. 6. We’ll be flying out of Bangor,” said Nancy.
The family will be staying at the Paradise Pier Resort Hotel at Disneyland.
“We’ll arrive in California at 1 p.m. on Friday and have the afternoon to play in the park. We will attend a dessert reception in the evening for the Youth Service America youth,” Nancy continued.
Steve Culbertson, the founder of Youth Service America, SERVE.net, and National and Global Youth Service Day (on which Hillary did her Project Find Me) will be there to talk to the youth volunteers, according to Griffin.
The family will then have Saturday to play in the park.
“On Sunday, the youth will d some special surprise activities separate from their families. There will be a ‘purple carpet’ event/show with Miley which the YSA youth volunteers will be ‘involved in’ on stage as part of the Miley’s birthday party Sunday evening. Dress was specified as ‘resort casual.’ It ought to be a fun weekend,” said Nancy.
“Hillary’s really looking forward to this. She worked hard on her project. This will be fun for our whole family,” said Nancy.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
HILLARY GRIFFIN, who has Down’s Syndrome, worked with members of the PIPD tracking team on Project Find Me. Studies have shown tracking dogs have a harder time locating people with Down’s Syndrome. Griffin worked with Hunter, the PIPD’s Bloodhound, to try to determine why such is the case. Pictured, from left: Officer Rob Thibeault, Officer Kevin Schumacher, Hunter, Griffin and Officer Jef Mechalko.
