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In This Edition:
- Thoughts from Randy - Blog:
National Games-Booya!
- Team NM will be busy in
Nebraska
- Follow the 2010 National
Games online
- Register for the 2010 Golf
Classic today
- Athlete Profile:
Jocelyn Zuniga
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Thoughts
from Randy - Blog
2010 NATIONAL GAMES - BOOYA!!
The 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games are upon us! In three
short days, 20 Special Olympics New Mexico athletes and their
coaches will land in Lincoln Nebraska with one purpose in mind - to
compete with all of their heart. They will participate in one of the
largest multi-sport events in our nation, and it will be an
INCREDIBLE sports experience. It will also be much more.
As you read this, 110 Law Enforcement officers and 9 Special
Olympics athletes are running the Flame of Hope through 70 Nebraska
communities, promoting awareness and honoring those athletes who
will be competing. These Guardians of our Flame will finish their
Final Leg by running into Opening Ceremonies in an emotional
lighting of the cauldron to officially begin our country's second
National Games.
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, 50 top education
professionals, policy makers, and youth leaders will gather at the
Governor's Mansion to focus on Special Olympics role in education
reform.
MORE
Team New Mexico athletes will be busy in
Nebraska
In less than three days, 20 Special Olympics New Mexico athletes
will take flight for Lincoln, NB where they will join 3,000 athletes
from 48 states to compete in the 2010 Special Olympics National
Games.
Thanks to local New Mexico Cessna Aircraft pilots, as well as
Southwest Airlines (via
The Noel Company),
Team New Mexico will be traveling in style at no cost. This is
the first time Team New Mexico will participate in the Special
Olympics
Cessna Airlift--which will be transporting over 800 athletes
across the country to these National Games. Cessna Airlifts
(or Citations) will touch down in Lincoln every 60-90 seconds over a
15-hour period.
Decked out in authentic Team New mexcio uniforms, the athletes will
arrive in Lincoln amid Special Olympics families and fanatics.
Once there, National Games fever will kick in with a series of
events from the
Law
Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg to the
Opening
Ceremonies--which will be hosted by actress Brooklyn Decker and
actor Edward Barbanell (The Ringer), along with special performances
from singers Michael Sarver (American Idol), Sandy Patty, and music
band Jars of Clay. SONM fans can catch a live webcast of the
Opening Ceremonies at the
National Games website.
The majority
of the National Games sports and initiative
venues
will be held on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus.
Once competition begins, the 20 Team New Mexico athletes will be
divided and directed to their individual sports competitions.
Team New Mexico athletes will be competing in
Aquatics
(Michelle Wankle-Carlsbad, Kathleen Sharer-Farmington, Jesse
Vincent-Las Cruces, Terrance Dorsey-Albuquerque),
Athletics
(Diane Richards-Albuquerque, Jocelyn Zuniga-Carlsbad, Mike Kuyper-Albuquerque,
Terrance Orgain-Carlsbad),
Bocce
(Mary Sue Strahan-Albuquerque, Crystaldawn Davis-Albuquerque, Van
Pexa-Albuquerque, Jerry Walsh-Rio Rancho),
Bowling
(Rosemary Perez-Las Cruces, Ryan Hanson-Farmington),
Golf
(Chase Turri-Alamagordo, Ryan Sinatra-Albuquerque) and
Rhythmic Gymnastics (Emily Hoffman-Rio Rancho, Jeannie
Garriss-Albuquerque, Ashley Leiby-Albuqeurque, Rachel
Martinez-Albuquerque).
Here are a few other 2010 National Games events worth noting:
The Special Olympics National Games will once again offer the
invaluable
Healthy
Athletes initiative, which has conducted over 500,000 health
screenings to Special Olympics athletes since its inception in 1997.
The 2010 National Youth Activation Summit (YAS), which will take
place at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, will have over 200 youth
with and without intellectual disabilities from all over the nation
in youth-led interactive sessions. SONM will be sending the
following representatives from SONM Manzano: Allison Stapleton,
Alexandria Hernandez, James Rector and Karen Schaffner.
In collaboration with the University of Nebraska-Omaha, Special
Olympics Project UNIFY will be hosting an Education Conference for
Special Education, General Education, and Pre-Service teachers.
SONM Westside Wonders' coach Pita Hopkins will be in attendance
representing Team New Mexico.
Follow the entire 2010
National Games online
If you
have access to the internet (and let's face it, who doesn't?),
you can catch all the excitement of up-to-date news and
announcements , as well as competition updates during the 2010
Special Olympics National Games set for July 18 - 23 in Lincoln,
Nebraska.
Throughout the week, Special
Olympics will be documenting and publishing video
and photography of the National Games and special events.
To view them, visit
www.2010specialolympics.org and click on the "Games Photos
and Video" link in the top right hand corner.
Additionally, competition
results will be posted on the National Games website and updated
regularly throughout the week.
If you're on Facebook, Twitter and/or YouTube, be sure to friend
and follow the National Games. Using these social media
sites will not only allow you to view video and photos of our
athletes, but also will give you the opportunity to engage in
conversations surrounding the National Games through blogs and
comments. Check out these social media sites for
up-to-date news and annoucnements:
Special Olympics New Mexico
will also be posting news and announcements about Team New
Mexico athletes periodically throughout the week.
It's not too late to register for the
2010 Special Olympics Golf Classic and Sports Auction
If you
haven't yet registered for the 12th Annual Golf Classic
featuring UNM Coach Steve Alford, don't wait any longer.
Be a fan of Special Olympics athletes by participating in the Golf
Classic and Sports Auction. A round of golf at the Four Hills
Country Club this Monday will help Special Olympics New Mexico
continue its mission of providing sports training and competitions
year-round to individuals with intellectual disabilities.
When: July 18th (Dinner & Sports Auction)& 19th (Golf
Classic Tourney)
Where: Four Hills Country Club, Albuquerque
Details:
On Sunday, July 18 a Sports Auction and Dinner will be held at Four
Hills from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. featuring a variety of must-have
sports memorabilia and other great items. On Monday, July 19, join
special guest and UNM coach Steve Alford to kick off a four-man
scramble and two-man best ball tournament at Four Hills Country Club.
Tee times are at 7:30 a.m.* (4-man Scramble) and 1:00
p.m. (2-man Best Ball).
Click HERE
to register.
*Editor's Note: The morning tee-time has been filled.
There is still room for teams and individuals to participate in the
afternoon round (1:00pm). Contact Jacquelyn Pacheco at (505)
856-0342 to register today and for tickets to Sunday's Sports
Auction and Dinner.
Athlete
Profile
Name: Jocelyn Zuniga
Age: 31 years old
Team: Special Olympics Carlsbad
Sports: Softball, Basketball, Athletics, Poly Hockey
Highlights: Earned four Gold medals in Athletics at
the 2010 State Summer Games in Albuquerque. Selected to Team
New Mexico to compete in Athletics at the 2010 National Games in
Lincoln, Nebraska.
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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
Jacqueline Pacheco
jpacheco@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 Thurman
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
Walt Bolic |
