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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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Top Ten
Things I Learned from Special Olympics
by Abe Assaad, Special Olympics Sandia Prep
Mother's note: For years, I’ve made it a point to ask Abe
after every practice to tell me one thing he’s learned that day.
I’ve jotted his answers in a notebook. This list is a collection of
our favorites. Some are profound. Others are silly. All are
relevant. It’s hard to measure this kind of impact: If Abe continues
to apply these lessons learned both on and off the field, Special
Olympics will have provided him with a priceless education. - Vicki
Assaad
10. “You have to know where you’re going or you’ll never hit
your goal.” (after hockey practice, 2001)
9. “It’s okay if you win, and it’s okay if you don’t win, but
you feel really bad if you don’t try your best.” (volleyball
state competition, 2004)
8. “Follow through. That’s the most important thing. Follow
through.” (after golf practice, 2002)
7. “Josh* wears striped underwear. Striped underwear is
COOL.” (after suiting up for basketball state competition, 2007.
*Name changed to protect the innocent, but nattily clad, teammate.)
6. “Keep your eye on the ball even if it hurts.” (after
softball practice on a particularly bright day)
5. “If you don’t keep moving, you’ll drown.” (after
swimming practice, 2004)
4. “Losing is not that great.” (after a disappointing
finish in the 100 meter, state track and field competition)
3. “It’s never a good idea to get hit in the head with a golf
club.” (after tossing his club
straight up in the air in frustration during golf practice, 1999)
2. “You have to keep your feet on the ground.” (after golf
practice, 1999)
1. “I can do it!” (after winning the gold at the
state golf competition, 1999)
Editor's note: Have a Special Olympics experience to
share with our SO Brief readers? Send an email to Oscar Solis
at oscarsolis@sonm.org.
Please keep stories under 500 words. Stories will be proofed and
edited as needed.
Thoughts
from Randy
What They Meant Then, And What They Mean Now
As a suggestion from one of our athletes, this year’s State Summer
Games theme is about honoring the Ancient Olympic Games of 3,000
years ago.
Quick facts: The early Games took place in northern Greece
(Olympia). Women were not permitted to compete or watch. The Olympic
Games occurred every four years to honor the Greek God, Zeus.
Athletes competed in javelin, sprinting, pentathlon, jumping,
discus, wrestling, chariot racing, horse racing, and boxing.
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.
Help SONM
support the businesses that support our athletes and families
[Albuquerque, NM] - For the past two years the beautiful and
culturally dynamic Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum has
served as the backdrop and presenting sponsor of our annual Special
Olympics Posole Ole Fun Walk fund raiser.
Year after year hundreds of SONM fans have gathered together to walk
miles for our athletes and sports program amid mariachi music and
delicious-tasting posole.
Now the balloon museum is facing funding cutbacks overseen by the
City Council. We encourage you to help support the business
that support our athletes and families by contacting your local City
Councilor. To contact all City Councilors, click
here.
"Since opening in October 2005, the Museum’s operating budget has
been cut 60 percent," says Tom Levine, Director of the Anderson
Abruzzo International Balloon Museum Foundation. "Still, despite all
the obstacles thrown its way, the Museum’s visitation has continued
to grow each year. The Museum has broadened its outreach to the
community through highly regarded programs and a total of 11 new
exhibitions. Thousands of school children, including a high
percentage from Title I schools, pass through our doors every year
as we continue to offer inspiring educational programs which
celebrate the art, history, culture, science and sport of
lighter-than-air craft."
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
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Be
a
fan
of
courage.
Support
Special
Olympics
today. |
