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SO Brief
SONM's Bi-Weekly Newsletter
March 12, 2014
In This Issue
Athlete Profile
Thoughts From Randy
100 Days til USA Games
Mayor's Invitational Recap
Unified Bowling
LETR News
Athlete Profile
Name: Nathan Begay
Team: Special Olympics Gallup
Sports: Bowling, Track and Field, Volleyball, Aquatics, Golf, Basketball
Highlights: Nathan competed in the 2014 Mayor's Invitational Track Meet and will also be going to the 2014 USA Games, competing in Aquatics!
Join Us Online
Thoughts From Randy
Forward
 
The other day I received an email announcing that the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games would be taking place in 100 days.  I have since been reminded of that statement  from a few of our Special Olympics New Mexico athletes who will be traveling to New Jersey to compete in them.  The importance of that 100 days is that it is giving a lot of people something to look forward to. 



 
100 Days out from USA Games! 
 
The 2014 USA Games in New Jersey are less than 100 days away! Team New Mexico has been training in preparation for the games, and we are getting more and more excited to
 see them in action this June! To stay up to date with all the USA Games news from around
 the country, you can visit the USA Games website by clicking HERE or their Facebook page by clicking HERE. 
 
We are also excited to announce that Jocelyn Torivio, representing the SONM Young Athletes Program, was featured on the Toys "R" Us Facebook page on Monday as a part of their "Cheer on a Champion" Young Athlete campaign. This promotion is in conjunction with the USA Games! To view the Facebook post click HERE! 
Another successful Mayor's Invitational Track Meet! 

This year's Mayor's Invitational Indoor Track Meet was as successful as ever thanks to the involvement of Mayor Richard Berry, City of Albuquerque Parks and Recreation, Bank of Albuquerque, and the UNM Football Team! 

"One of the most meaningful gifts anyone can provide a Special Olympics athlete is the
 opportunity to participate," stated SONM Executive Director Randy Mascorella. "The fact that Mayor Berry gives our state's Special Olympics athletes the chance to run on one of our nation's best indoor tracks is truly awesome. We are so grateful for his passion for our organization and his support for our athletes."

Mayor Berry made an in-person welcome speech during Opening Ceremonies and took photos with numerous athletes before their races. Once again, Bank of Albuquerque not only served as the Presenting Sponsor for the event, but also provided volunteers to present medals to our athletes. 

The UNM Football team - who for the fifth year in a row has come out and volunteered - timed races, measured distances for field events, and most importantly cheered on our Special Olympics athletes every step of the way! Their presence continually makes the indoor track meet a meaningful event for our athletes.
 
 To view photos from the day, click HERE. 
Second annual Unified Bowling Tournament! 
 
The 2014 Unified Bowling tournament is just over a week away! On March 22-23, Special Olympics athletes and their Unified Partners (individuals without intellectual disabilities) from all over the state will come together at Santa Ana Casino's Starlight Lanes for this fun-filled Unified Sports competition. 

Unified Sports is becoming an increasingly more important piece of Special Olympics New Mexico's sports program. 
Unified Sports promotes equality between Special Olympics athletes and their peers. It also enables our athletes to develop higher-level sports skills and experience an environment of inclusion, as each athlete is ensured to play a valuable role on the team. Unified Sports has led to friendships and socialization for our athletes outside of Special Olympics!

For more information about the event, click HERE. 

Law Enforcement Torch Run News!                    

SOUTH CENTRAL Region LETR officers host hockey challenge game on March 22nd in Albuquerque

On Saturday, March 22nd local police officers and firefighters will go head-to-head in an ice hockey challenge game for the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. Come out and watch live ice hockey in the Duke City and support our Torch Run! It's a great time for the whole family! The puck drops at 4:30pm at the Outpost Ice Arena located at 9530 Tramway Blvd NE in Albuquerque. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 15 & under. For more information contact LETR State Office - Oscar Solis, 505-856-0342; Team Hoses - Brian Barnes, 505.385.4441; or Team Guns - Nicholas Pearson, 505.833.6983.. 
 Upcoming 2014 Events

EVENT                                    DATE                                   LOCATION
Unified Bowling Tournament           Mar 22-23                                           Santa Ana Starlight Lanes
Law Enforcement Torch Run           May 19-30                                           Statewide
State Summer Games                      May 30-June 1                                    Albuquerque
USA Games                                         June 14-21                                         Princeton, New Jersey
Golf Classic                                         July 14                                                  Paa-ko Ridge Golf Club
Auction & Dinner                                 July 19                                                  Embassy Suites
SONM Board of Directors
 
Executive Committee : CHAIRMAN, Jack Eichorn; VICE CHAIRMAN, Karen Hudson; VICE CHAIRMAN, Bob Scanlon; SECRETARY, Suzanne Frazier; and TREASURER, Steve Pino

Board Members: Tom Padilla, Shaylene Stephens, Ryan Garcia, David Harnick, Sharen Hart,  Brad Hutchins, Walt Bolic, Darren Wilkins, Trish Stuart, Craig Amundson, Allen Smith, Consuelo Bolagh-Cowder, Dub Girand, and Mark Wiggins 
Contact Us
Special Olympics New Mexico
6600 Palomas Pl. NE Ste. 207
ABQ, NM 87109
 
Email: sonm@sonm.org