SO Brief 
SONM's Bi-Weekly Newsletter
November 4, 2015
In This Issue
Athlete Profile
Holiday Classic
Posole Ole!
Over the Edge Photos
LETR News!
North Regional Bowling Tournament
Athlete Profile
Rest in Peace
December 9, 1990 - October 29, 2015
Name: Andrea Kuckartz
Team: Special Olympics Westside Silver Bullets 
Sports:  Golf and Bowling
Highlights: Andrea won a Silver Medal at the 2014 State Bowling Tournament. 
Join Us Online
Thoughts From Randy    
Add Ons 

Last weekend Special Olympics New Mexico hosted its Holiday Classic Competition  in Las Cruces.  We have been going there off and on for years, and have always loved being in the southern part of our state.  This year, however, we moved the date of the competition two weeks earlier and  made a few additions to the weekend.  We added unified bocce to the sports we offered - we added live music to Opening Ceremonies - we added a photo booth to Olympic Village - and because the Games were held on Halloween, we added costumes to the Victory Dance.  The result of those additions turned out to make the weekend more fun than any of us ever anticipated.

MORE>>>

 
 
Holiday Classic brings Bocce, Bowling, Basketball, and plenty more to Las Cruces

This past weekend, SONM returned to Las Cruces for the 2015 Holiday Classic. Over 400 athletes, 86 coaches, and 73 Unified Partners gathered for jam-packed weekend - 
complete with three different sports, a vibrant Olympic Village, and a Halloween-themed Victory Dance. It was a competition for the books.  

In cased you missed some of the action, you can view photos from Bocce, Bowling, and Basketball by clicking HERE.

To view photos from the photo booth that was in Olympic Village click HERE  .   
Let's get festive at Posole Ole!         

It is officially the holiday season, and the Posole Ole Fun Walk is one month away. We have several new delegations joining the festivities this year, and it should be more fun than ever.

Expect an appearance from Orbit and Mr. & Mrs. Claus, as well as wonderful raffle prizes and holiday crafts for everyone! 
 
There are lots of ways to participate! Whether you want to volunteer or raise funds, contact Christine Roybal at 505-856-0342. Click HERE to learn more and sign up!
Young Athletes Play Day
 
Last Wednesday, October 28th, 30 students from McCollum Elementary School's developmental preschool program and 18 high school students from Bosque School came together to participate in a Young Athletes Play Day.

Throughout the day, the preschool students, with the help of their Bosque School "buddies," practiced beginning sports skills activities that enhanced gross motor skills development. Small victories were celebrated as both groups of students worked together and learned from each other. 

This is the second time this year that Bosque School has participated in a play day with a development preschool class.

To view more photos from the Young Athletes Play Day, click HERE.
Law Enforcement Torch Run News!   

Four LETR agencies represented at 2015 Special Olympics Holiday Classic in Las Cruces
 
On October 30th - 31st, Special Olympics New Mexico hosted the 2015 Holiday Classic in Las Cruces. This year, LETR officers from Las Cruces Police Department, Las Cruces Fire Department, Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office, and Alamogordo Police Department supported the two-day tournament by helping deliver water prior to the Games, carry in the LETR "Flame of Hope" torch during Opening Ceremonies, and award medals to athletes at both the Bowling and Basketball competitions. 

Their presence helped spread the word of understanding, acceptance, and dignity for people with intellectual disabilities. On behalf of our New Mexico Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, we would like to recognize and give thanks to the following LETR officers who helped fuel our "Flame of Hope" for Special Olympics this past weekend:
 
Las Cruces Police Department: Officer Aaron Glymph, Officer Michael Roach, Officer Steven Chavez, and Honor Guard (4): ; Las Cruces Fire Department: Firefighter Louie Burke; Dona Ana Couny Sheriff's Department: Deputy Michelle Ugalde, Public Information Officer Kelly Jameson, Deputy Jeremy Maldonado, Deputy Gabe Sanchez, and Deputy Jonathan Almanza): ; Alamogordo Police Department: Retired Sgt. Doyle Syling.

LETR's Annual Red Robin National Tip-A-Cop raises over $4,500 for Special Olympics New Mexico
 
On Saturday, October 24th numerous New Mexico Law Enforcement Torch Run officers from Belen Police Department and Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office joined hundreds of other LETR agencies across the country to take part in the annual Red Robin Tip-A-Cop fundraiser for Special Olympics. 

Covering both Red Robin locations in Albuquerque, the two agencies helped greet customers, refill drinks and raise awareness about LETR and Special Olympics. LETR officers were given "tips" for their service both at Red Robin and for their support of Special Olympics. The amount of donations raised totaled over $4,500 for a second consecutive year. On behalf of our New Mexico Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, we would like to recognize and give thanks to the following LETR officers who helped fuel our "Flame of Hope" for Special Olympics at this event: 

Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office: Captain Josh Campos, Captain Josh Kingsbury, Captain Justin Dunlap, Deputy Josh Shores, Deputy Theresa Sabaugh, Deputy Daniel Walker, Deputy Brandon Levonious, and Deputy Derek Taylor; Belen Police Department: Lt. Robert Miller, Sgt. Jose Natividad, Sergeant Adam Keck, Sergeant José Natividad, Officer Sabrina Chavez.  
"Change the Game" at the Champions Together Breakfast
 
The Champions Together Breakfast is an annual event that educates our community about how Special Olympics New Mexico is "Changing the Game" for people with intellectual disabilities in this state. Whether you are new to Special Olympics or a long-time fan, this breakfast will enlighten and inspire. 

The event will take place on November 19th at 7:30 am at the Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum. This is a benefit breakfast and attendees will be asked to consider making a contribution.

Contact Christine Roybal at 505-856-0342 or christine@sonm.org to RSVP. 
 Upcoming 2015 Events

EVENT                              DATE                                 LOCATION       
North Regional Bowling Tournament      Nov 14-15                                        Bernalillo
Champions Together Breakfast             Nov 19                                            Balloon Museum
Posole Ole Fun Walk                          Dec 5                                              Balloon Museum
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, Cathy Tingstrom, 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