Special Olympics Missouri State Indoor Games 2019 3-29-19 to 3-30-19

What a FUN weekend a endorsed!  

(Friday 3-29-19)

Mid-day, my family and I drove to St. Joseph for Special Olympics Missouri Indoor Games! Jesse, Darion and I are competing in basketball. It snowed slightly when we were driving. I listened to music, and Jesse was watching movies on his tablet. And mom and dad was talking. It didn't seem to take long to get there.  My brother and his family (who lives in Iowa) met us

at the hotel. We all stayed at Hampton INN. I think that's dad's favorite hotel. lol. After dinner we went to the civic center for the opening ceremonies. They had dancers, and they were good. I got everything ready for the next day and settled down for the night and went to bed. Some of my family went to the hot tub.  I'm glad they enjoyed themselves.

(Saturday 3-30-19)

Mom and I got up early so I could have time to eat breakfast before my first game. My brother and my nephew and niece ate breakfast with us. They wore the shirts my parents made for the National Games in July. So, I thought that was very touching! When I got to the gym, I recognized the building and saw my team. There were games going on, so I watched them. I always enjoy watching other teams, so I can learn some basketball moves! lol. Before I knew it, it was time to stretch and get ready for my first game. The first game was a hard one! I think no one was fully awake, so we didn't play our best. The other team was way more skilled then us, but we tried our best and that's what counts! I enjoyed hearing my family cheering me on! After my first game, my family went to see Jesse's game. My second game started early then I supposed too, so that was good. WE played much better in that one! We all made baskets, I made some steals, and a 3 pointer! I didn't make the second shoot but I was really happy that I made the first one!! The team who we played against had some players who has some difficulties, so we let them to make some baskets, it made me REALLY happy when they made baskets, it makes my heart so happy when I see that happen! We beat them, and we got THIRD place (Bronze) It was a fun day! After we got done with the medals and the main coach said a few words, I rode the van with my coach, to go to see my brother play, but we were a little late. But I still got pictures of my brother getting his medals. when a SOMO staff came to the same gym, and I knew it was time for me to go to work lol. I signed up to take pictures or help SOMO to take pictures with an fancy camera (and I really enjoyed it) It was so much fun taking pictures and using the zoom on the camera! After my shift, my family and I went to the Civic center and went through the SOMO store, healthy athletes. I wanted my uncle (Darion) to go through. So, we all went though. Jesse and I did an interview with the local TV station. So, that was cool. For dinner, they served us BBQ sandwich, chips, mash potatoes, green beans and a choice of cookie or a piece of cake. Another athlete leader and myself got some athletes to go to thee athlete input council. What is athlete input council, good question! It's where athletes can share what they liked and what they didn't like about that weekend (State competition) I've heard this year is the first year that we had that many athletes attend that council, so I was glad to hear that! The favorite part of state competition, is the DANCE! It was awesome, I got to see some of my friends and got to catch up with them! I danced with my teammates, and I really enjoyed seeing them smile! 

What did I like about this weekend? 

I liked that I believed in myself so I could make a 3 pointer basket, made some steals in basketball and seeing my friends. I recruited another athlete to go to ALPs (Athlete Leadership Programs) so I was happy about that and she also wants to go to Sports camp...SO that's a plus!!

What I didn't like about this weekend?

Well this isn't what I didn't like...this is mostly what I missed...I missed the music at the opening ceremonies, I missed seeing the athletes smiles and dancing.

Special Olympics ALPs session 3-9-19 to 3-10-19

3-9-19 My mentor (my dad) and I left our house at 12pm. We are going to ALPs (athlete leadership programs) for Special Olympics Missouri. This time I’m taking Capstone I & Capstone II. We arrived in Columbia Missouri at 1:48pm. Capstone 1 class starts at 2pm. Once we checked in to our class, and when we received what we needed, (Important papers and name tags). We went to our class room with our instructor and sat down, I was surprised I only saw two more athletes, which I both knew them, so that made me felt good.  In this class talked what each person is going to major in, introduced ourselves, did an team exercise. We also talked about what makes a good leader, and what we want our MAIN project to be. That class ended at 6pm. For dinner we had pizza, vegetable tray and various of chips and cookies. For the evening activity, the college athletes of Mizzou and athlete leaders, played kick ball and another game, it was like 4 square and volleyball. It was fun! A class performed (at the evening activity) did like a short play.. They did very well! I’m really exciting for this ALPs session because, another athlete that I recirited to ALPs is here this weekend! When we came back from the evening activity, I unpacked my stuff and did my nightly routine. Then got everything ready for the next day, then went straight to bed! 

3-10-19
I woke up at 6am, I forgot that the time changed! So I just lay in the bed and tried to fall asleep but I couldn't, instead I was thinking what today will bring. I did fall asleep for the rest of time, and got up at 7am. So I got up and did my morning routine. We ate breakfast at the hotel, I had yogurt, scrambled eggs, sausage links,went back to the hotel room and got our belongs and checked out. The class I was taking is Capstone 2. That class is another four hours. We talked about our final project some more. Went into another building and got ready for the mentor and athlete input council Got ready to present our project in front everyone.  I volunteered to share my project first. We went outside for a surprise!  We had MU ice cream, and it  was really good. We also walked through the pillars (It's shown in the last picture) Now..it's time to work on my 2 practicums, I like to get things done!! I wanted to wish all of my fellow athlete leaders and the 2 other athletes was in the capstone class with me, good luck with their practicums!! I know YOU all can do it! 

Before I forget...a HUGE thank you to University of Missouri for allowing us to use your facility, especially the Special Olympics Missouri Staff, instructors, and of course of my mentor!! (DAD)

Special Olympics Capital Hill Day 2019

February 11, 2019 (Monday)

Last night I set my alarm at 5:30am, but I didn’t get up until 6am. Oops! Got everything prepared and did last minute packing. I made sure I didn’t forget anything. Winston and Henry knew something was going on, they followed me everywhere I went, except the car, Henry does not like the car: it’s 6:42am, I’m on my way to the KCI (airport) flying to Washington DC with Meagan (Special Olympics Missouri staff). We are attending the Capitol Hill Day! Im excited and nervous the same time. But I’m mostly really excited about it! I’m excited to meet new people and meet some of the legislators and senators. I’ll be sharing my story around health and where I would like to see it go, how long I’ve been in special Olympics, what I am involved in, why it is important to me.

This will be my 2nd time flying without my family. I’m on the plan with Meagan, I’m ready for the flight! 

Whoa what a day! It’s 5:42pm, eating dinner, we’ve been in break out sessions all day, learned some awesome information, getting prepared for tomorrow. For lunch I had Cesar grilled chicken salad, it was really good! I saw some of my friends I met at the health messenger training I did a few months ago, so that assured me. I’m tired, I’m ready for bed. It’s going to be a long day tomorrow! I’m staying at the Capitol Hill Hotel.

February 12, 2019 (Tuesday)

This morning my alarm went off at 7am. I got ready for the day and Meagan and I went to the lobby to eat breakfast. Got everything prepared and got on the bus to go to the Capitol. On the bus I met someone who watches my healthy tips on Wednesday’s. So that’s nice that people watch my videos, it made me feel good! It’s 10am, just got done with me first meeting, it felt good! I was a little nervous, but I think I did a okay job, I keep telling myself, that was my practice. On my way to the next one! The second one went better! Waiting on my next one!

I saw the last person at 3:15pm. Whoa!! What a long day but a FUN day at the Capitol of DC! I’ve meet 6 representatives and 1 senator! I told all of them of my story, and how Special Olympics has changed my life and how healthy athletes has changed my life for the better! Let me tell you the Capitol is AMAZING! The first time I told my story, I was a little nervous, but with every meeting, I got a little better, and the last meeting was the best one! I’m getting better at this! The Capitol was a busy place today, a lot of people was in the building, I’m glad I didn’t have to do by myself, because I would get lost! Oh and don’t worry, I got pictures!! It’s 6:55pm, got done with dinner and the close ceremony, saw Tim Shriver, Mary Davis, and it was a fantastic evening, for dinner I had Cesar salad, some reason I wasn’t too hungry. 

February 13, 2019

This morning I woke up at 5:30am, did last minute packing and got ready for the flight on the way home. It’s 6:52am, just went through security, every time I go through it, it gets more easy and I have less anxiety, so that’s a good thing!

My thoughts:

Oh wow, what a great experience I just endured! I got to meet with 6 representatives and 1 senator from Missouri! I told them about my health story and how Special Olympics changed my life for the good! I got to see some of my health messenger friends and got to meet new people as well! The food was pretty good! The Capitol was HUGE, much bigger than the Capitol on Jefferson City! I got some awesome pictures as well, Megan helped me with that! Megan (who is a Special Olympics Missouri staff) was a big help for me, she gave me guidance and insurance when I needed it! So I really appreciate it! Before I went on this trip, I really didn’t know what to expect ( like in anything new), I was also worried, because when I normally go to the Capitol Hill in Jefferson City, my dad usually do the talking, but this time I did it! Once when the day went on I got better with my speech, but yet I was still nervous (I was nervous that I would forget what to say) but I think I did pretty good! I’m very grateful that I got this experience and I’m SO grateful for Special Olympics and Special Olympics Missouri!! It would be better if it didn’t rain, but it’s Mother Nature!