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SONM's Bi-Weekly Newsletter
| February 13, 2013
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Athlete Profile 
Rest in Peace September 2, 1954 - February 1, 2013
Name: Marshall Wimsatt
Team: Special Olympics Carlsbad
Sports: Aquatics, Poly Hockey, Bocce
Highlights: Marshall competed at the 2006 National Games in Aquatics.
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Thoughts From Randy
Clarity 
I hate admitting this, but a few weeks ago I melted the lens in my glasse s trying to start a fire in my new fireplace. I realized what had happened when I went back to watching a basketball game on ESPN and thought my television had gone hay-wire. The colors were dull, the players blurry, and it was like watching the game through wax paper.
When I got to my eye doctor he informed me I hadn't seen him for five yea rs, and that I should in fact be thankful for that fireplace, because probably I hadn't been seeing very well for a long while. During the weeks that it took to get my new glasses, although the world was fuzzy, I found perspective.
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Mountain States Insurance Group continues its support for State Summer Games New!
For the 14th year in a row, Mountain States Insurance Group will partner with Special Olympics New Mexico as our Presenting Sponsor for the 2013 State Summer Games. Since 2000, Mountain States has provided both monetary and volunteer contributions for our State Summer Games, where they will also serve as escorts for the pentathlon competition.  "At Mountain States, we traditionally support organizations whose works positively impact the state and thus, we are very pleased to continue our sponsorship of SONM's State Summer Games," said Mountain States representative Melba Baum. "In addition, our employees look forward to working with SONM's athletes hands-on every year." Mountain States Insurance Group has helped to support the personal and professional growth of Special Olympics athletes for over a decade, and their loyalty has helped Special Olympics to do more every year at our State Summer Games. Though their contributions are not limited to State Summer Games, their smiling faces continue to impact SONM in more ways that they realize. "Mountain States Insurance Group is a company that truly amkes beyond the dollars," said SONM Executive Director Randy Mascorella. "The partnership runs deep in our organization and I hopefully in their company as well. They have helped in a multitude of ways each time we have asked." We are excited to continue the partnership with Mountain States Insurance Group this year and consider it a gift.
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Athletes lace up for Mayor's Invitational Indoor Track Meet! New!
This year marks the fourth year that Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry and the City of Albuquerque Parks and Recreation Department have partnered with SONM to host the Mayor's Invitational Indoor Track Meet. This Sunday, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, over 130 of our athletes will compete in Track and Field events on one of the nation's premier indoor tracks!  "There is cause for celebration at so many levels when Special Olympics is personally invited by a Mayor of any community to participate in something that creates a new sports experience for our athletes and families," stated Executive Director Randy Mascorella. "To be able to run on one of the best indoor tracks in our country because Mayor Berry believes our athletes would benefit by it makes this event something very special. We remain deeply grateful."
The 2013 Mayor's Invitational Indoor Track Meet is made possible through monetary and/or volunteer contributions from Bank of Albuquerque, City of Albuquerque Department of Parks and Recreation, and University of New Mexico Athletics.
For more information about the event click HERE.
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Poly Hockey Championships return to Farmington on February 22nd New!
The 2013 Poly Hockey Championships are quickly approaching and it is easy to feel the excitement around SONM's first state competition of the year!
This year's Poly Hockey Tournament will take place on February 22nd and 23rd at McGee Park. Athletes, coaches, and volunteers will all come together to make this tournament one of SONM's most action-packed competitions! Opening Ceremonies will occur on Friday, February 22nd and competition will conclude with the Victory Dance on Saturday evening. For more information about the event, click HERE.
Thanks to this year's sponsors for making this event possible!
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LETR News!!! New!
2nd Annual Polar Plunge for Special Olympics raises $5,360
While January's cold weather inspired many to bundle up and keep warm, for Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) officers and supporters, it was the perfect time to dress down and jump into freezing waters. Perfect because it was all in an effort to raise funds
and awareness for Special Olympics.
On January 19th members of our NW Region LETR hosted the 2nd annual Polar Plunge for Special Olympics in the parking lot of the Farmington Recreation Center. The event that registered 29 Polar Plungers raised some $5,360.
Amidst bleachers full of friends and family members, each participant bared their muscles or a fist pump before soaking themselves into life- changing waters. By far the youngest plunger was seven year-old Jehrus Johnson of the Caped Crusaders, who bravely joined the dozens of Plungers for Special Olympics.
The event concluded with numerous team and individual awards. Most money raised at $1,025 came form Team - Four Corners LETR's "We ARE Torch Run," which included Farmington Police Department's Chief Kyle Westall, Sgt. Kent O'Donnell, Officer Shawn Archuleta, Officer Jenny Dennis, Agent Devan Steerman, Officer Marty Snowbarger & SONM Athlete Ryan Hanson. While in the individual category, most money raised was by LETR supporter Brad Duncan at $455.00.
Special thanks to DJ Greg Churchill of Grooves on the Move and San Juan County Sheriff's Office, Debra Lisenbee, The Sandoval Family, Farmington Fire Department, Farmington Police Explorers, the numerous Volunteer, and the brave Plungers!
SW LETR officers raise $1,434 at Applebee's Tip-A-Cop for Special Olympics
On February 7th officers from our Las Cruces Police Department and
Dona Ana County Sherriff's Department joined forces to host a SW Region Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Applebee's Tip-A-Cop.
In just four hours some $1,434 was raised by officers who each earned contributions greeting Applebee's patrons, serving meals and soliciting donations to support the athletes of Special Olympics New Mexico. Congrats to our officers and a special thank you for all who provided support in this successful event. For more information about Tip-A-Cop events in our SW Region, contact our SW Regional Coordinator Aaron Glymph at (575) 202-0108.
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Spread the Word to End the Word on March 6th! New!
On March 6th, Special Olympics New Mexico will help Spread the Word to End the
Word on the national day of awareness to end the derogatory use the
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Athlete Ryan Hanson giving an R-word speech last November
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of the R-word. When the terms "mentally retarded" and "mental retardation" were first introduced, they had a clinical connotation; however, in common day speech, the terms have since taken on a derogatory connotation implying stupidity. This degrading use of the word "retarded" reinforces the stereotypes placed upon people with intellectual disabilities. But you can make a difference!
If you would like to help Spread the Word to End the
Word, visit www.r-word.org to take the pledge to support the elimination of the use of the R-word.
In addition, if you would like to host your own Spread the Word to End the Word event on March 6th, contact Victoria Gonzales at victoriagonzales@sonm.org or at
(505) 856-0342 to register your event.
One pledge at a time, we can foster and environment of inclusion, acceptance, and respect. Join us as we Spread the Word to End the Word.
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Upcoming 2013 Events
EVENT DATE LOCATION
Mayor's Indoor Invitational Feb. 17 Albuquerque Convention Center
Poly Hockey Championships Feb 22-24 Farmington McGee Park
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SONM Board of Directors
Executive Committee : CHAIRMAN, Tom Padilla; VICE CHAIRMAN, Jack Eichorn; VICE CHAIRMAN, Bob Scanlon; SECRETARY, Suzanne Frazier; and TREASURER, Steve Pino
Board Members: Shaylene Stephens, Nestor Romero, Suzanne Fields, Ryan Garcia, David Harnick, Jim Reist, Sharen Hart, Brad Hutchins, Walt Bolic, Darren Wilkins, Trish Stuart, Craig Amundson, and Karen Hudson
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Contact Us
Special Olympics New Mexico
6600 Palomas Pl. NE Ste. 207
ABQ, NM 87109
Email: sonm@sonm.org
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