So this will be a very special, emotional post. So be prepared for that. (you might need to grab a napkin)
Lynna What was your first impression when you first heard of SOMO?
Sarah- I had known about Special Olympics for a long time, because my cousin is involved in Special Olympics Illinois so I was able to watch him compete for several years before moving to Missouri. When my husband Brandon got a job at Special Olympics Missouri, I was really excited because I knew it would give me more opportunities to actually volunteer at events. My first impression of SOMO was awesome, and I couldn’t wait to get more involved!
Lynna- What did you do for SOMO?
Sarah- At SOMO competitions I primarily volunteered during awards, and during Athlete Leadership Program weekends I helped teach a few different classes! However no matter what SOMO events I attended, I helped out wherever I was needed. I loved interacting with the athletes.
Lynna- How many years have you been involved with SOMO?
Sarah- I’ve been involved with SOMO for about 7 years now.
Lynna- What was your favorite program that SOMO offered, and why?
Sarah- My favorite program SOMO offers is the Athlete Leadership Program. For those that don’t know, the Athlete Leadership Program (ALPs) gives athletes the opportunity to participate in classes that expand their knowledge on different subjects like communications, technology, coaching and more. It’s a wonderful program and I’m proud to be a part of it. I love seeing the athletes get excited about learning new things.
Lynna- What are you going to miss the most about SOMO?
Sarah- I’m really going to miss the athletes. I’ve gotten really close to them and it’s going to be rough knowing I’m not going to be able to see them multiple times a year like normal. I’m also going to miss watching the competitions; I always enjoyed watching as many games as possible.
Lynna- Are you planning to come back and visit ?
Sarah- Of course I’m planning to come back and visit! Once the world calms down a bit and things get back to normal, I’d love to come back and volunteer during some competitions and during an Athlete Leadership Program weekend.
Lynna- Do you think you would volunteer for SO Colorado?
Sarah- One of the first things I’m going to do when I get to Colorado is reach out to them to see what I can do to help. As long as it’s safe to do so, I would be very anxious to get back to volunteering!
Lynna- What was your favorite memory while you were involved SOMO, when was it, and why?
Sarah- I have TWO favorite memories! My first favorite memory was when Brandon and I went and watched the softball team compete at the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles. Not only was California lovely, but getting to wake up and go watch Special Olympic athletes compete at beautiful venues was just so much fun. My second favorite memory is being a sports manager for the golf team in Seattle during the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games. I made so many friends and being a member of the team this time around was incredibly exciting. I’ll never forget all the memories I made.
Lynna- Lastly...if you could leave one statement for the athletes, staff, volunteers and everyone involved with SOMO, what would it be?
Sarah- If I could leave one statement for the athletes, staff, volunteers and everyone else involved with SOMO, it would be this. Never forget that you are your own unique individual. Don’t let anyone tell you how to feel, what to believe, or that you can’t accomplish something. You are your own person, can make your own decisions and can be brave in the attempt at accomplishing anything you put your mind to.
Thank you Sarah, next one is Brandon:
Lynna- When was your first day you started to work for Special Olympics Missouri?
Brandon- Dec. 3, 2012
Lynna-What was your first impression of SOMO?
Brandon- I really didn’t know much about Special Olympics before I started as the Public Relations Coordinator back in 2012. My very first event actually came before I started my job when I attended the 2012 State Fall Games in Cape Girardeau. Sarah and I traveled from Illinois to see what a state competition was like. I used the time to get to know the staff and the athletes. That trip helped us realize that this really was the best decision for our family.
Lynna-When is your officially last day for Special Olympics Missouri?
Brandon- My last day in the office is Oct. 9, but I plan on sticking around to work part-time on a couple of projects (fall ALPs University, website re-design, etc.) at least through the end of the year.
Lynna-What was your job title/role for Special Olympics Missouri?
Brandon- Public Relations Coordinator (2012-2015); Multimedia Manager (2015-2020); Director of Communications & Athlete Leadership (2020)
Lynna- Did you know that you would work that long for SOMO?
Brandon- 7.5 years
Lynna- Did you know that you would work that long for SOMO?
B- I honestly wasn’t sure how long I’d stay when I first took the job. I always told people that I had what was close to the perfect job. I loved telling stories through photos and videos and I thoroughly enjoyed working with athletes through Athlete Leadership programs. The only thing that was missing was something that SOMO didn’t have any control over -- location. Missouri has been great to Sarah and me. I spent three years in Columbia at Mizzou and now nearly eight years in Jefferson City at SOMO, but it’s never really felt like “home.” It’s always felt like it was “just a stop” in our life journey. We spent longer here than I thought we would and I’d say 99% of that is because it has been so hard to say goodbye to all of the amazing people we’ve met through SOMO.
Lynna- What was your favorite part of being a part of SOMO?
Brandon- Everyone would answer this question the same way, but it’s because it’s true -- the athletes. When times are hard for staff, we find the energy to power through knowing we’re doing it for you. Watching you train and then go out and succeed at whatever you do makes all the hard work and long hours worth it.
Lynna- Did you have a favorite moment in SOMO, if so, what was it, when was it and why?
Brandon- It’s really hard to pick just one. I’ve been lucky to be a part of two USA Games with Team Missouri and one World Games in Austria with Special Olympics USA. Those experiences are some of my favorite memories not just for SOMO, but in my life. I’ll never forget the relationships we built with one another during all of the training camps and then weeks of competition.
Lynna- What was the hardest part of your job?
Brandon- The long hours. Don’t get me wrong, I was happy to put in those extra long days a lot of the time because I knew it was all for the athletes, but it’s not easy being on a small communications team of only 2-3 people for an organization our size. I felt like I was always behind schedule on things, which kept me from doing all the fun storytelling things I wanted to do, but could never find the time for.
Lynna- Did you have a favorite program that SOMO offered, if so, what was it and why?
Brandon- Athlete Leadership, duh! With the help of volunteers and staff, we started Athlete Leadership in SOMO back in 2015. I had NO idea what I was getting myself into when I agreed to take on this program, but in the end it became my favorite part of my job. I loved seeing athletes get excited about learning new things from public speaking to technology to coaching and more.For many of our athletes, this was the first time in their lives that they had the chance to take classes in subjects they were actually interested in. I loved being able to help them build new skills and take on leadership roles and thrive while doing so.
Lynna- What are you going to miss the most?
Brandon- Again, it’s pretty obvious, but it’s you all -- the athletes. I’ve made so many new friends and it’s going to be VERY hard to leave you all behind. Anyone want to come with us?! :-)
Lynna- If you could leave one statement to the athletes, staff, coaches, and anyone who is involved in SOMO, what would it be?
Brandon- I sent this out to our ALPs athlete-leaders and instructors last week, but it’s the best advice I can give:
You’ve been ignored, bullied, forgotten, and more, many times in your lives. You’re so much stronger than you think you are. You’re capable of so much more than people give you credit for. Keep fighting for what’s right. Keep fighting for full inclusion. Don’t stop when you finally have a seat at the table, but keep fighting HARD until you’re the one running the meetings!
Don’t be afraid to take chances. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. It’s the only way you’ll grow as a person and as a leader.
Put others before yourself. You’ll never go wrong when you center other peoples’ experiences above your own.
We don’t know what the future has in store, but you can’t just wait around hoping for good things to come your way. Sometimes you need to go make good things happen on your own.
Don’t be afraid to call out tokenism when you see it. You’ve been trained on how to spot when someone is doing something FOR you instead of WITH you. Stand up for yourself and stand up for your fellow athletes when they’re just being used.
And finally, you deserve good things in your life. Don’t ever let someone tell you otherwise. You deserve to be happy – whatever that looks like to you.
Lynna- Are you planning to come back and visit?
B- I’d like to say yes, but unfortunately, who knows. We will definitely be coming back to see friends and if that time lines up with a competition where I can see you all, that’d be awesome!
Lynna- Are you planning to be involved in the Special Olympics in Colorado?
B- Uh, duh! I’ve already filled out a Unified Partner form so I can find a team to play with in the Broomfield/Denver metro area. I know the SOCO staff member in charge of Athlete Leadership, so I’m excited to either be a mentor or instructor for them as well. Who knows, if I’m lucky enough to make Team Colorado for a future USA Games, our paths may cross again there!
Lynna- If you could leave one statement to the athletes, staff, coaches, and anyone who is involved in SOMO, what would it be?
Laurie- SOMO athletes have left an incredible mark on my life. They have many lessons that they teach us. Thank you SOMO athletes!
Lynna- Are you planning to come back and visit?
Laurie-
Lynna- When was your first day you started to work for Special Olympics Missouri?
Mary- I started at SOMO in August of 2014.
Lynna-What was your first impression of SOMO?
Mary- I felt so lucky to get to work at a place that I could get to know athletes and their families personally, and serve them.
Lynna- When is your officially last day for Special Olympics Missouri?
Mary- My last day at SOMO was September 23, 2020.
Lynna- What was your job title/role for Special Olympics Missouri?
Mary- Partnership Manager. I managed the Knights of Columbus Partnership with SOMO.
Lynna- How many years have you worked for Special Olympics Missouri?
Mary- Six
Lynna- Did you know that you would work that long for SOMO?
Mary-I knew when I got this job- that I was home. I had volunteered with SOMO before and was already hooked. Getting to also work with the Knights of Columbus partnership with SOMO was a dream come true. I really got to work with two organizations that care so much about the people that they serve. I built relationships that will last a lifetime and for that I am forever grateful!
Lynna- What was your favorite part of being a part of SOMO?
Mary- The athletes! I have loved learning from them and seeing all of their amazing talents and abilities!
Lynna- Did you have a favorite moment, if so, what was it, when was it and why?
Mary- I have lots! However, I think my very favorite moment was being there for the first Athlete Leadership Programs University graduation. Watching athletes walk across the stage in their caps and gowns beaming with pride after working so hard to achieve their dreams was one of the most rewarding moments of my life.
A close second was seeing the athletes walk inside the completed Training for Life Campus for the first time! An unforgettable moment of pure joy and pride!
Lynna- What was the hardest part of your job?
Mary- Honestly, I was so lucky to have such an amazing job where I truly felt like I got to make a difference every day. It really didn’t feel like work! Leaving you all, the athletes, was by far the hardest part for me!
Lynna- Did you have a favorite program that SOMO offered, if so, what was it and why?
Mary- I love that SOMO is so much more than just a sports organization. I loved watching athletes grow through the Athlete Leadership Program as they found the leader and voice within themselves. I also love how Healthy Athletes and the Health & Wellness programs encourage athletes to live healthier lives so that they can be stronger on and off the field!
Lynna-What are you going to miss the most?
Mary- The athletes! The time that I have had getting to work closely with athletes, learning from them, and watching them achieve their dreams. I was lucky to get to teach Communications in ALPs and I loved hearing athletes tell their stories. Introducing athletes to Knights of Columbus across the state and watching them build close relationships was so special and rewarding. I will miss that, but I can’t wait to continue to cheer you all on and hear your stories!
Lynna- If you could leave one statement to the athletes, staff, coaches, and anyone who is involved in SOMO, what would it be?
Mary:
To my fellow staff and all volunteers: Thank you for pouring your hearts into SOMO and for wanting the best for SOMO athletes.
Volunteers: SOMO would absolutely not be possible without you. Your dedication to service is incredible and I hope that you are always rewarded by your experiences working with athletes. You are truly amazing!!!
Athletes: I will never be able to thank you all for everything that you have taught me. I am a more happy, kind and brave person, because I know you. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve you and your families. Thank you for all of the joy you have brought to my life.
Lynna- Are you planning to come back and visit?
M- Of course! I will always be one of your biggest fans!
