Last step challenge (health messenger) Aug 19 to Sept 23 2019

So, I hosted the last step challenge for Special Olympics Missouri and the health messenger athletes for the year. I didn't have that many participants that I had in the past. But that's okay, because I know people are getting busier this time of the year. So, I understand. I had 21 participants, that included 13 athletes, 1 Special Olympics Missouri Staff and 4 coaches, 1 volunteers and 2 parents.

For this challenge I changed somethings. I didn't remind daily, I let them tell me, but I did remind people at the end of challenge, if I needed their steps counts. The step challenge is for 6 weeks. On facebook, I did poll to see which challenge they would like to do in the coming year. I got some great feedback.

Results:

Special Olympics Missouri Participants:
1. Jessica Grammer-722.500                      12. Jay Collins- 350,846
2. Irvin Jones- 658,734                              13. Bobby Bates- 293,595
3. Allen Tobin-590,858                              14. Kelsey Porter-280,053
4. Lynna Hodgson-566,285                        15. Anna McDaniel- 266,587
5. Pierce Rash-569,873                              16. Michelle Howell- 220,756
6. Jaime Rosso-539,451                             17. Connie Pado- 209,452
7.Tim Kunz-441,260                                  18. Debbie Koch- 205,351
8. Jared Niemeyer-397,176                        19. Rand Hodgson- 186,397
9. Leah Shoemaker-385,454                      20. Amanda Koch-146,925                 
10. Becca Tincknell-365,000                     21. Kayla Hull- 117,473
11. Jennifer Grammer-364,200                    Total Steps: 7,878,226

Health Messengers:

1. Allen Tobin- 591,015
2. Lynna Hodgson- 566,275
3. Jenni Hummel- 422,119
4. Brandy Peterson- 85,005
Total Steps: 1,664,414

*I want to say a BIG thank you to everyone who did all of the challenges I hosted in 2019. I really enjoyed it, and I hope you all did too! But don't worry..there will be more challenges in the year of 2020, I just don't know what or when, so please be patient and stay tune! *

ALPs (athlete Leadership Programs) capstone struggles 9-20-19

So, I've been working on my capstone project practicum (homework) for ALPs (Athlete Leadership Programs), When I first started this project...which was March 10, 2019. My project was for me to produce 8 videos, these videos will educate the public what Special Olympics Missouri offers. I also was working on another practicum, I usually like to get things done, so I know that I got it done, and don't have to worry about it. But that wasn't the case this time. I was so worried about my other practicum I didn't pay any attention to my capstone project. In my  mind, I would get the practicum for the class of technology: in the studio done quickly, (but I didn't)  but I did everything I could do to reach out to the instructor. It took me a long time to face the facts. Regarding about my practicums. At the back of  my mind I thought (maybe if I give him some more time, he will respond) or (if I send him another e-mail). I was always afraid that I would be bothering him or caught him at a bad time. So, after a couple of months (I know what you are thinking) (why did I waited this long, honestly I was to ashamed in myself) I sent a email to the person who is in charge of ALPs, and explained to him what's going on, and how I'm feeling about my practicums, we decided to have a conversation over the phone, after that phone call, I felt SO much better!

If I could do all this over again what would I do? That's the question I have in my mind, and my answer that question is: 

*Ask Questions, Ask Questions (there's no stupid question)

*Take Notes

*Communicate with your mentor and to the instructors for the classes you take

*Make sure you know what you are doing

*Make sure you understand what you are doing

*It's okay to ask questions to the mentor or to the instructors

*Talk to other athletes that are in ALPs

*Don't wait for a long time to ask for help

*Make realistic goals (deadlines)

*If you are stuck, don't wait too long to ask for help

What did I learn after this experience?

*Learned to ask for help

*Communication is very important

*Learned that it's okay to have a bump on the road

*Don't wait too long to ask for help or reach out to someone

*Be specific if you don't understand something

*Talk to other athlete leaders who took the same class as you did

*It's okay to make a mistake, make sure you learn from that mistake

*Make Priorities 

Royals Clinic 9-3-19

Woke up at 8:10am. Alarm went off at 8am, but decided to sleep for 10 more minutes. Made breakfast for my brother, my dad, my mom and I. Did some house chores. We picked up Darion and are on our way to the Royals stadium.  

We got to the stadium at 11:40am.  The clinic ended at 1:20pm.

When we got inside of the stadium, we waited for everyone to show up. Once everyone showed up, we listened to the rules and what we were going to do. Once we got down to the field, we took a group picture. Then we split up in two teams, special olympics Kansas and special olympics Missouri. Special olympics Missouri got to bag first, every athlete got a chance to bat. Fox 4 and channel 41 the television station. Darion had two interviews! So that was exciting for him, I’m so happy for him!  This was the first royals clinic for him, and he loved it! After the scrimmage, we all went to where we met up at first, and got our tickets and our boxed lunches. Enjoy the pictures! 

Softball Regional West Tournament 8-24-19

My alarm went off at 6am. I’ve been working on being really quite in the mornings so I don’t wake anyone up. I did my morning routine. The dogs didn’t move an inch when I got up. 

WOW what a day! It was a long one but it was a exciting day! Our first game was at 8am, we won that one, and the second was at 12pm. But we had to report back at 11am. Between my games, I went around the softball field with another athlete leader and tried to recruit more athletes and mentors, and talked to family members, I think we did prettt good!! I think we got some people who was interested, so that was a plus!! Some people even took some extra information to share with their teammates and their families. My second game was at 12pm. We won that game. So...drum roll please....we got GOLD! Oh yeah, I made my first home run!! I was very happy about that! Everyone did an awesome job! We all showed great sportsmanship! We all had a great attitude, there were some moments that we didn’t do so well, but we learned what we need to do! So overall it was a great day! 

*what I enjoyed*

-made my first home run

-saw Some old friends and meet new people

-talked to people about ALPs

-Jesse got 5 RBI’s

(Enjoy the pictures)

Kansas City Bocce Tournament 9-7-19

Today is the Knsas City metro, St. Louis and Cental area bocce tournament! I wish all of my friends who is competing today! Remember our oath! This year in Kansas City area tournament is located at Epic Lodge in Independence. I’m starting to really like bocce, this is my second year of playing it. All of Lee’s Summit athletes compete at 1pm. I’m excited to see some of my friends that I don’t see very often. 

Wow what a day we had yesterday! We had to get to the venue by 12:15pm. Once we got there, we changed into our new bocce shirts ( they are really nice) then said hello to everyone. We went inside for the parade of athletes. Everyone from Lee’s Summit played at 1pm. We did unified doubles. I did pretty good. My unified partner and I played another Lee’s Summit team and another team who went to nationals, they were from Park Hill. They were really good! The athlete was really good! Over all we got 2nd place. It was a good competition. Jesse and his unified partner (my dad) got got GOLD. After we all competed (Lee’s Summit team) we went outside to eat lunch. We went back inside because the girl athletes played next. I did very well. And guess what, I competed against the same person (who went to nationals) I played smart, overall I got 2nd place. Jesse played his singles competition much later then I did. After he competed he got SILVER! We watched everyone else who competed. Saw some friends, so that was awesome! Saw an volunteer that I’ve seen before, so that was really awesome! We all competed really good! Next stop is state! Enjoy the pictures!