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SONM Chapter Staff
Executive Director
Randy Mascorella
randymascorella@sonm.org
Director of Media & Public Relations
Oscar Solis
oscarsolis@sonm.org
Director of Special Events & Torch Run Liaison
Rhonda Gardner
rhonda@sonm.org
Director of Development
Christine Sandoval
christinesandoval@sonm.org
Resource Development Associate
Heather Scott
heatherscott@sonm.org
Director of Sports
Competition & Program
Chris Page
chrispage@sonm.org
Director of Coaches Education & Outreach
Steve Harris
steveharris@sonm.org
Director of Finance
Alice Hanson
Ahanson@sonm.org
Director of Volunteer Affairs/
Administrative Assistant
Jayne McDonald
jayne@sonm.org
Systems Administrator
Victoria Gonzales
victoriagonzales@sonm.org
SONM Board of Directors
Executive Committee
CHAIRMAN
Tom Padilla
PAST CHAIRMAN
Jerry With
VICE CHAIRMAN
Jack Eichorn
VICE CHAIRMAN
David Harnick
SECRETARY
Suzanne Frazier
TREASURER
Nick Loftis
Board Members
Melissa Spencer
Ryan Hanson
Nestor Romero
Suzanne Fields
Bruce Beebe
Bob Scanlon
Jim Reist
Sharen Hart
Blake Brown
Brad Hutchins
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Aztec High
School student is changing attitudes in northern New Mexico
Quite often, people with intellectual disabilities are faced with
the barriers of intolerance and indifference that obstruct their
acceptance and inclusion as productive and respected members of
society. Often times, these barriers come in the form of hurtful
words such as “retard.” In a global effort to eliminate the “R-Word”
Special Olympics has launched a campaign called Spread The Word to
End the Word. The campaign is an online pledge drive which can be
reached at www.r-word.org. At the time of this article, over 41,000
pledges have been made.
In northern New Mexico, one Special Olympics volunteer and R-Word
advocate has taken upon himself to spread the word to end the word,
and he has his family and community right behind him. Within a few
weeks, Aztec High School senior Caden Martin, 17, has already
obtained over 300 pledges and speaking to people of all ages about
the campaign and the Special Olympics movement. We caught up with
Caden and asked him to share his experience with our readers. Here
is what he said:
More
Thoughts
from Randy
SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD
My relationship with God has always been important to me. One of the
first things I remember learning about Him was that He didn’t love
anyone else one bit more or one bit less than He did me. It’s funny
how the concept of equality that was such a blessing to me years ago
is such a curse to me now, as the older I get, I constantly find
myself making judgments, judgments that are not only unfounded and
none of my business, but wrong. Whether I’m driving down the street,
eating out, or sitting in a meeting, in one glance, one
conversation, and one fell swoop, without even thinking about it, I
way catch myself judging someone or something. It drives me nuts,
and I have to work on it all the time.
More
Editor's Note: Stay up-to-date with
Thoughts From Randy, subscribe to the blog today. You can
visit the site anytime at
www.thoughtsfromrandy.wordpress.com.
Mark Your
Calendars for these upcoming Special Olympics New Mexico events!
Law
Enforcement Torch Run
Beginning May 18th through the 29th, hundreds of Law
Enforcement Torch Run officers will
cover some 1,600 miles throughout New Mexico, carrying the Flame of
Hope to the Opening Ceremonies of the 2009 State Summer Games.
Contact your local LETR coordinator to find out when the torch will
be in your area. For more information about the Law
Enforcement Torch Run visit
www.sonm.org.
State
Summer Games
On May 29 & 30, over 1,000 Special Olympics New Mexico athletes,
coaches, volunteers and family members will descend upon the city of
Albuquerque for the 2009 State Summer Games. Athletes will be
competing in Track and Field, Bocce, Cycling, Volleyball and
Gymnastics. Our Summer Games competitions will be held at the
UNM Track Stadium, UNM-Johnson Gymnasium, Balloon Fiesta Park and
the Albuquerque Gymnastics School. This year's Opening
Ceremonies theme is the MMIX State Summer Games
of the Olympiad. For more
information about the 2009 Summer Games visit
www.sonm.org or call (505)
856-0342.
Mariposa Run
On June 7, join hundreds of local and statewide runners for the
second annual Mariposa Run for Special Olympics held in the
beautiful Mariposa community in northern Rio Rancho. The event
features a 10K Run, 5K Run, 5K Fitness Walk and 1K Kids' Fun Run
that promises to be fun for the whole family.
For more information, contact Special Olympics New Mexico at (505)
856-0342.
SONM "Feed
The Hungry" Food Drive
Don't forget to help Special Olympics feed the hungry! SONM is
collecting canned food and dry goods at each of its five state
competitions and delivering the items collected to local food
kitchens. Some 900 pounds of food was collected at our 2009
Poly Hockey Championships in February. Let's keep it up!
Can you help us
with these needed items?
Special Olympics New Mexico is in need of a number of operational
items. If you or anyone you know might be able and willing to
donate, please contact us at (505) 856-0342.
*Frequent Flyer Coupons, Airline Tickets and Vouchers for athlete
travel
*Vacant Warehouse for athlete training center
*Beverage Cambros for competitions and special events
*Projector Screen for meeting and presentations
*Sports memorabilia for SONM Golf Classic Silent Auction
Athlete
Profile
Athlete Name: Chris Valerio
Team: Special Olympics Capitol City Mighty Ducks
Age: 27 years old
Sports: Poly Hockey, Track and Field, Volleyball, Softball, Bowling
Highlight: Earned a Bronze medal in Poly Hockey at the 2009 Poly
Hockey Championships in Roswell. Gold medal in Softball at the 2008
Four Corners Invitational in Farmington. |
Be
a
fan
of
courage.
Support
Special
Olympics
today. |
