SO Brief 
SONM's Bi-Weekly Newsletter
April 1, 2015
In This Issue
Athlete Profile
Thoughts From Randy
Autism Awareness Event
Unified Bowling
LETR News!
Concussion & Safety Recognition Policy
2015 Golf Classic
Over the Edge!!
Athlete Profile
Name: Jeff Ramirez
Team: Special Olympics Las Cruces
Sports: Bowling, Track and Field, Golf, Softball
Highlights: Jeff is the newest Special Olympics athlete on the SONM Board of Directors. Congrats, Jeff!
Join Us Online
Thoughts From Randy
Audacious

In the past few weeks I have heard the word audacious in so many conversations, I had to look it up to see I was fully understanding its meaning.  The definition I liked best was "showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks."  I have tried to be a little more audacious in my leading over the past year, and I can tell you those times when I wanted to run and hide my head in the sand, it has been our athletes who have encouraged me by their example to press on.

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LCPS promotes acceptance and friendship through Autism Awareness event

On March 19, Las Cruces Public Schools (LCPS) hosted the first-ever Autism Awareness Team Building Competition at Central Elementary School.  This event is part of LCPS's work with the Special Olympics Project UNIFY program that provides students with and without disabilities opportunities to participate in sports activities alongside one another. 

Within LCPS, there are four school sites that have autism classes of no more than seven students. Each autism school site formed a team with their peers from a general education class to practice team-building skills like a 3-legged race, team poles, summer skis, and tug-of-war. 

"Las Cruces Public Schools has taken huge steps to create opportunities to celebrate the abilities of all their students," stated Victoria Gonzales, Project UNIFY and Community Outreach Specialist for Special Olympics New Mexico. "The Autism Awareness Team Building Competition engages students to work through their different challenges and compete as partners and friends."

Project UNIFY is an education-based initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Education that aims to incorporate Special Olympics Unified Sports programs into schools in order to create more inclusive school communities while empowering youth as agents of change.  Special Olympics New Mexico has been working for the last five years implementing Project UNIFY in more New Mexico schools.

Thanks to Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico for partnering with us to make this event possible through its Healthy Kids, Healthy Families® grant.

To view more photos, click HERE.  
Bowl Unified - Live Unified!   

The 3rd annual Unified Team Bowling Tournament on March 21st went off without a hitch! With 107 teams and some very creative team names, SONM athletes and Unified Partners took over Santa Ana Starlight Lanes.

"SONM's Unified Bowling Competition like each of our State Competitions that have a unified component are such great reminders that playing unified truly is a great sports experience," stated SONM Executive Director Randy Mascorella. "This tournament grew by twenty-five teams in one year - showing that Unified Sports is spreading the message of inclusion to communities all over our state. Our congratulations to every team who demonstrated the ideals of respect and acceptance that Special Olympics New Mexico represents." 

Unified Sports gives SONM athletes the opportunity to develop and improve physical and social skills and gives Unified Parnters the chance to create relationships with people that they may otherwise have not had the chance to interact with. If you're interested in learning more about becoming a Unified Partner, click HERE.

Thank you to Peggy Boyar, our awesome volunteer photographer for shooting this event. To view photos from the event, click HERE.
Law Enforcement Torch Run News!

2nd annual LETR Carlsbad 5K Run raises $1,800 for Special Olympics

On Saturday, March 28th LETR Carlsbad Police Department hosted its 2nd annual Spring Fling 5K for Special Olympics bringing together local Special Olympics athletes and the Carlsbad's running community to raise money and awareness alongside Lake Carlsbad. 

The event raised $1,800 in runner registrations and adopt-a-cop sponsorships. The event was put on by Carlsbad PD's Corporal Anthony Baca and Officer Charlie Garcia.

Click HERE to view photos of the event on our LETR Facebook page.

7 - Eleven Kicks Off its fifth annual Torch Icons for Special Olympics campaign

The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics' 7-Eleven Torch Icon Sales for Special Olympics campaign is back! From April 1st - May 17th, LETR community partner 7-Eleven convenience stores will be raising funds and awareness for Special Olympics in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho-offering Torch Icons to patrons. Last year the campaign raised $25,000 that directly benefited local SONM program participation and State Competitions. 

On Thursday, March 26th Regional Manager Eric Corley rallied his stores to not only match last year's funds raised but surpass it. In each of the four previous years, enthusiastic 7-Eleven employees have met their goals and surpassed it by at least 15 percent. You can help support this great campaign by making 7-Eleven your choice for gas and goodies, and donating a $1. For more information contact us at 505-856-0342.

Three LETR Tip-A-Cops scheduled for April

Chili's Tip-A-Cop
April 3rd & 4th  @ 11:00am - 10:00pm  
Join us while our local area first responders take a break from fighting crime & saving lives to bus tables for donations!
Event Agency: Farmington Police Department
Event Contact: Shawn Archuleta | 505-860-7620 | mikenshawn@gobrainstorm.net

Claim Jumpers Tip-A-Cop
April 9th @ 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Bring your friends and family out for some delicious seafood while our officers trade their guns for aprons to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics!
Event Agency: Belen Police Department
Event Contact: Rob Miller | 505- 459-9651| robert.miller@belen-nm.gov
 
Joe's Pasta House Tip-A-Cop
April 17th @ 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Come support Rio Rancho PD at Joe's Pasta House as they wait tables to raise funds and awareness for our Special Olympics New Mexico athletes!
Event Agency: Rio Rancho Police Department
Event Contact: Lana Elder| 505-401-0447| sunnylanalee@hotmail.com
Don't play Head Games - Review the Concussion & Safety Recognition Policy

It is Special Olympics' intent to take steps to help ensure the health and safety of all Special Olympics participants. All Special Olympics participants should remember that safety comes first and should take reasonable steps to help minimize the risks for concussion or other serious brain injuries.

Effective January 1, 2015, a participant who is suspected of sustaining a concussion in a practice, game or competition shall be removed from practice, play or competition at that time. If a qualified medical professional is available on-site to render an evaluation, that person shall have final authority as to whether or not a concussion is suspected. If applicable, the participant's parent or guardian should be made aware that the participant is suspected of sustaining a concussion. "When in doubt, sit them out."

All coaches are required to complete one of the following concussion awareness training courses:  
1)    The Center for Disease Control's (CDC) Heads-Up Concussion in Youth Sports training course, which is available HERE

2)   National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHSA) Concussion in Sports training course which is available HERE                                      

       Certificate of Completion must be submitted to the SONM Chapter Office.

To view the entire Concussion & Safety Awareness Policy, click HERE.

Tee off at the 2015 Golf Classic!
The weather is warming up and which means that it's time to start working on that swing in preparation for the 2015 SONM Golf Classic at Paa-ko Ridge Golf Club. This year's tournament will be on July 13th and will be a Four-Man Scramble starting at 9 am.

Entry fee includes green fees, a golf cart, access to the driving range, warmup balls, a Nike Dri-Fit t-shirt, tees and markers, and a goody bag filled with awesome items! Sign up today so you're sure not to miss out on all of the fun.

The 2015 SONM Golf Classic is presented by New Mexico Chevy Dealers, with additional support from Mark's Casa Auto Group, Mass Mutual Financial Group Southwest, and Old Republic Title.

Additional sponsorship options are available. Contact Christine Roybal at christine@sonm.org for more information.

Click HERE to view our Golf Classic webpage with registration info.
Test your limits - Go Over the Edge!
Mark your calendars for September 15th because Special Olympics New Mexico's most exhilarating fundraising event is back in 2015! Over the Edge for SONM is an exclusive 230-foot rappel down the New Mexico Bank and Trust building in downtown Albuquerque  - all for the benefit of SONM athletes.

Whether you are an individual fundraiser or want to put together a corporate team, there are plenty of ways to get involved in this unique event. Sponsorship options are also available. Contact Christine Roybal at christine@sonm.org for more information about partnerships.

Click HERE to view the Over the Edge webpage to learn more!
 Upcoming 2015 Events

EVENT                              DATE                                 LOCATION 
Law Enforcement Torch Run               May 19-31                                        Statewide
State Summer Games                       May 29-31                                        Albuquerque, NM
Something Special Dinner & Auction   June 27                                            Sandia Resort & Casino
SONM Golf Classic                            July 13                                             Paa-ko Ridge Golf Club
SONM Board of Directors
 
Executive Committee : CHAIRMAN, Jack Eichorn; VICE CHAIRMAN, Karen Hudson; VICE CHAIRMAN, Bob Scanlon; SECRETARY, Ryan Danoff; and TREASURER, Steve Pino

Board Members: Tom Padilla, Jeff Ramirez, Ryan Garcia, David Harnick, Brad Hutchins, Walt Bolic, Darren Wilkins, Trish Stuart, Craig Amundson, Consuelo Bolagh-Cowder, Dub Girand, Warren Ellis, and Mark Wiggins 
Contact Us

Special Olympics New Mexico
6600 Palomas Pl. NE Ste. 207
ABQ, NM 87109
 
Phone: 505-856-0342
Email: sonm@sonm.org