Area Games give communities an opportunity to bond, grow
May 4, 2011
On Saturday, April 16 dozens of SONM athletes, coaches, volunteers and family members from within Special Olympics New Mexico’s Area 2 region gathered at Taos High School to compete in the 2011 Area 2 Games.
Athletes representing numerous delegations from Santa Fe to Las Vegas arrived sporting shirts and signs the honored the town from which they came. Local program newbie, Penasco, made the most of their SONM debut, arriving in matching uniforms and with many supporters.
“The importance of Area Games is that it gives us all the opportunity to spend time getting to know our other athletes and families from neighboring towns,” said SO Santa Fe Local Program Coordinator Donna Lopez-Rios. “It’s a more intimate setting, which helps prepare us for when we come down for the State Games. Once there, we’re not just rooting for our own delegation anymore. We’re rooting for every athlete who represents Area 2.”
Underneath early morning blue skies and sunshine, volunteers worked fast to set up and organize themselves for what would bring a series of nail-biting races and joyous celebrations.
The Games went off without a hitch, as the Area 2 athletes competed in Track and Field and Bocce. The Law Enforcement Torch Run was also represented as local officers were on hand to award athletes as they completed their races.
Aside from competition, one of the main highlights of the day was the announcement of the Area 2 Athlete of the Year. Athlete Chris Valerio from the Santa Fe delegation received the honor amid plenty of hoots and hollering from his teammates and fellow Area 2 fans.
“I was so proud of Chris when he won that award,” said Lopez-Rios. “We have so many wonderful athletes that deserve Area 2 Athlete of the Year that I’m sure it was a tough decision to make.”
October 31, 2011
By Erin Gallegos
On Saturday, October 15, The NM Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) presented the 1st Annual Oktoberfest Golf Tournament to benefit Special Olympics New Mexico (SONM) Area 1.
The fundraiser was hosted at the Hidden Valley Golf Course between Farmington and Aztec, New Mexico. Six teams, composed of Special Olympics athletes, law enforcement officers and public participants, participated in the event. During the celebratory BBQ lunch following the event, LETR also held a raffle at the event with prizes donated by families of the athletes.
“For our first run, I am pretty pleased with it,” stated LETR officer Jenny Dennis.
The event raised some $1,000. Area 1 Coordinator Debra Lisenbee hopes that with more planning, next year’s event will be even more successful.
“The golf tournament was amazing and fun because I get to play with my golf partner,” said SONM Area 1 athlete Ashley Thompson, “We won first place.”
The event was a great success for Area 1 and for all of the participants. This annual event is open to all who want to participate, so keep your ears open for information about next year’s event.
Thanks to everyone who participated and supported the event. For more information about the event and Special Olympics Area 1, please contact Debra Lisenbee at {505} 860-4693 ordebra@fisi.net.
November 30, 2011
By Erin Gallegos
Last Monday, a small group of Special Olympics Manzano athletes participated in a different kind of practice than the local program normally runs. Instead of working on relays, three-pointers, or slap shots these eager and excited athletes worked on routines, stunts and dance.
Earlier this year, Special Olympics Manzano participated in a philanthropy project that introduced the first Special Olympics cheerleading squad in New Mexico in twenty years. Currently, there are ten Special Olympics athletes on the squad: Alexis, Jordan, Tommy, Taylor, Kayla, Angel, Deborah, Deanna, Gia, and Jade. Jaimee Parea and Amie Sims, two UNM students, started the Special Olympics cheerleading squad philanthropy project and decided to continue with the squad after the project ended.
“Although cheerleading is not an official SONM sport, SONM supports our athletes taking advantage of any and all athletic opportunities presented to them,” said SONM Director of Sports and Competition Chris Page.
Jaimee and Amie are now the coaches for the squad. Mariana Flores and Bryanna Boughter, two Manzano students, also help to coach the squad. Led by Christine Castillo, the local program coordinator of Special Olympics Manzano, and Vanessa Whitaker, the spirit coordinator at Manzano High School, the squad has improved noticeably since their start in September.
The squad practices basic skills, arm movements, jumps, tumbling, chants, stunts, and dance routines. They practice three days per week and they vary between dance-oriented practices and cheer-oriented practices. The athletes know seven chants. The coaches see significant improvement in the athletes’ movement, memory, and confidence since they started the squad.
“It’s awesome,” said athlete Alexis Sena, “We dance and cheer and I love the friends I have made.
The squad participated in Manzano’s Fall Spirit Assembly this year, which is one of the biggest assemblies of the fall semester. Vanessa Whitaker hopes to secure a performance spot for the squad at the Metro Spirit Competition. The squad also may start cheering at the Special Olympics basketball games.
For more information about the squad and the Special Olympics Manzano programs, please contact Cris Castillo at (505)459-5367 or 900castillo@msn.com.
SONM’s Young Athletes Program receives grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico
January 25, 2012
By Erin Gallegos
On Wednesday January 18, Special Olympics Ne
w Mexico (SONM) was awarded a grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico to support its Young Athletes Program.
SONM’s Young Athletes Program teaches fundamental sports skills to children ages two to seven with developmental disabilities. The program also creates partnerships between developmental preschool programs and fourth and fifth grade APS classes. The APS students act as mentors and coaches to the preschool athletes.
“Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico’s generous support of our Young Athletes Program helps us expand the program in our state and advocate healthy practices for young New Mexicans with disabilities,” said Young Athletes Program Director Victoria Gonzales.”
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico awarded the grant to SONM as part of its initiative, Healthy Kids, Healthy Families, which seeks to improve the health of children in New Mexico through nutrition education, physical activity, disease prevention, and creation of safe environments. SONM’s Young Athletes Program emulates many characteristics that Healthy Kids, Healthy Families advocates by seeking to educate and improve the health of young athletes with developmental disabilities.
“Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico has been a longtime supporter of Special Olympics New Mexico through the Healthy Athletes Program,” said Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico Spokeswoman Becky Kenny. “Our employees volunteer every year during the Summer Games to help complete health screenings onsite for interested athletes and family members. We are excited to expand our relationship with SONM through our Healthy Kids Healthy Families initiative by sponsoring the school-based mentor program, Young Athletes, this year.”
For more information about SONM’s Young Athlete Program, please contact Young Athletes Program Director Victoria Gonzales at victoriagonzales@sonm.org.
Every year, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico (BCBSNM) recognizes an employee who exemplifies BCBSNM’s goal of giving back as their Volunteer of the Year. This year BCBSNM recognized David Rodriguez, a seven-year employee, as the 2012 Volunteer of the Year. In honor of the award, BCBSNM donated $1,000 to Special Olympics New Mexico (SONM) on David’s behalf.
“First of all, in my opinion, any company that honors their employees for giving back to their community by volunteering sends a powerful message about the corporate culture and core values they have established,” said SONM Executive Director Randy Mascorella. “On the other hand those employees who care about others and selflessly give their time are worth their weight in gold. I would bet David Rodriguez goes through life with a positive attitude, is a great team player, and more than likely is well-organized and understands how to manage his time. Employees like David help to make our community a better place to work, play, and live.”
For four years, David Rodriguez has volunteered for a variety of charitable causes. He volunteers at Atrisco Hertitage High School as a member of the coaching staff for their Cross Country Track and Softball teams, as well as a tutor for students in need. David is a member of the Blue Bear Club, bringing BCBSNM’s Blue Bear mascot to life at events throughout the year. David has also volunteered for BCBSNM’s Operation Back to School program and the holiday Adopt-A-Family event.
Special Olympics New Mexico is proud to be honored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico with this generous donation. We would like to thank both BCBSNM and David Rodriguez for their on-going service in the New Mexico community.
By Erin Gallegos
February 8, 2012
Linda Charzuk is the local program coordinator for the SONM’s Albuquerque Gymnastics School (AGS) delegation and is the SONM Coach of the Year for 2011. When asked what makes her a successful Special Olympics coach she says, “I am not just a coach, but a friend.”
Linda was named Coach of the Year in August of 2011 at the Four Corners Invitational. As a coach for the AGS delegation, she coaches gymnastics, bowling, and bocce. Her delegation has between 50 and 75 athletes and most of the athletes play more then one sport.
When asked about her coaching style, Linda says that she is not a “hard-nosed” coach, but likes to inspire athletes through positive feedback. Because she coaches three very different sports, she adjusts her coaching style for each sport.
“I have to be more hands-on when coaching gymnastics,” Linda says, “but when I coach bocce, I usually just organize the athletes.”
Linda and the AGS delegation just participated in the 2012 NMAA Bowlathon at the end of January, an event in which they have been a part of for a few years now. Linda enjoys this tournament because bowling is a team sport rather than an individual sport, like gymnastics. This also provides an opportunity for her athletes to compete with other peers outside of Special Olympics.
“I like the team aspect of bowling,” Linda states, “I like all-for-one dynamic.”
Currently, Linda is preparing her athletes for the SONM Summer Games in mid-May. They have started practicing for the rhythmic program, which consists of dance routines on the floor. They will soon start practicing for bocce and for the artistic program, which consists of gymnastics competitions on equipment. About 50 athletes from the AGS delegation will participate in the Summer Games and Linda hopes that the games are a success for her athletes.
For more information about the Albuquerque Gymnastics School delegation and their upcoming events, please contact Linda Charzuk at (505) 293-9570 or charzuk51@hotmail.com
April 4, 2012
By Erin Gallegos
On March 26 – 27, Special Olympics New Mexico (SONM) partnered with the Society for Human Resource Management – New Mexico (SHRM-NM) for their annual state conference at the Sandia Resort and Casino in Albuquerque.
On Monday, March 26, SONM Athlete Tim Harris and Executive Director Randy Mascorella gave an inspirational presentation to a room of more than 300 attendees about the impact the Special Olympics movement has had on their individual lives and the growing Special Olympics community. SONM Athletes Marla Gavurnik, Phil With, and Ken Patton also attended as award presenters to the conference’s additional presenters over the two days. Throughout the conference, the athletes also greeted hundreds of conference attendees at the Special Olympics information booth.
“It went awesome,” said Harris when asked about his speech. “After I spoke everyone wanted to tell me ‘Oh yeah.’ My favorite part about it was to inspire everyone.”
To add to the feeling of a true Special Olympics experience, LETR officer Gerald Sandoval and SONM Athlete Van Pexa joined Special Olympics Manzano’s cheer squad in a lighting presentation of the “Flame of Hope” to conclude the conference, while SO Manzano riled the crowd with a one-of-a-kind performance.
The conference included exhibitors from local and national businesses, and keynote speakers that included: Stuart Crabb, Head of Learning and Development for Facebook; Mike Jones, President of Discover Leadership Training, Inc; and Pamela Green, Vice President of U.S. Membership of SHRM.