Visiting Special Olympics British Columbia 10-15-19

So I’ve been in Canada, for 7 days (counting today) we are leaving tomorrow. It was so great to spend time with with family and having Canada Thanksgiving! We did so many fun activities, but there is one more fun activity that is going to happen today. We are going to visit British Columbia Special Olympics! 

I woke up at 8:20am. It’s 9:27am right now, we are driving to SOBC, it will take us 46 mins drive. We are really excited! 

Currently there is 4,800 athletes in SOBC. I got some pamphlets and we got a pin from them! Jesse couldn’t wait to see it! It was a good short visit! Enjoy the pics! 

Here’s some interesting facts: 

•4,800 registered athletes 

•3,900 volunteers 

•55 communities 

•18 sports 

•365 days a year 

Athletes:

By gender: male 60% female 40%

By ages: 60+ 6% 19-59 72% 12-18 13% 7-11 6% 2-6 2% 

athletes by region: Fraser valley 25% Vancouver island 20% Okanagan 14% Vancouver Squamish 12% Frazier river delta 10%

Competition cycle

•1 local

•2 provincial 

•3 national

•4 international 

There summer sports are:

• 10 pin bowling •athletics •basketball •bocce •golf •power lifting •rhythmic gymnastics •soccer •softball •swimming 

There winter sports are: 

•5 pin bowling •alpine skiing •cross country skiing •curling •figure skating •floor hockey •snowshoeing •speed skating 

Additional Programs:

•club fit •health initiatives •youth programs 

Youth Programs:

Family-centred and focus on monitor and sport skill development through fun and positive.

•active start-2 to 6 years •fundamentals- 7 to 11 years •sport start- 12 to 18 years 

Athletes benefit from: 

Access to:

•certified coaches •high quality training & competition •travel •a welcoming & challenging environment 

Opportunity to:

•make new friends •be part of a team •gain confidence •improve their health 

This is the pin we received from them 

Outdoor games 9-27-19 to 9-29-19

Special Olympics Missouri Outdoor Games 2019

Traveling day (9-26-19)

Jesse, Darion, my mom and I met up with the ones who are going to Jefferson City early. We arrived at the hotel, we are getting into our rooms, I’m in 904. We waited for everyone to unpack and get into their rooms. We ate at Theo’s Midtown. I had a calzone. It was really good! I never had one, I didn’t think I would finish it all, but I did! I also had a side Caesar salad. It was a good dinner! After dinner we walked back to the hotel, and went on the 9th floor. We waited for the rest of our crew (rest of Lee’s Summit) Rest of the evening we just visited with our teammates and we sang happy birthday to and had cupcakes. We had three people who had birthdays. Tomorrow will be a early one, some the athletes play bocce in the morning. I’m really excited about it. My dad came later tonight, because he is Jesse’s unified partner for bocce. I better get to sleep. Got everything ready for tomorrow. 

Competition Day One : Bocce (9-27-19)

This morning I woke up at 6:30am. Got ready for the day. For breakfast I had scrambled eggs, sausage links, Apple, and grapes. After we all ate breakfast we got loaded up into vans and drove to our location. Once we got there, we went to our spot and sat down. We got our tags, which say what we are doing and what time we play etc. In singles I played against 3 other athletes, my competition was Becca (another athlete I knew) I didn’t know who were the other two athletes were) it was a thought competition, in the result I got 4th place. After I got my ribbon, I thanked the volunteers, and the athletes who I competed against. I ate some of my lunch then went to participate in unified doubles. Again another tough competition, I played against Becky again lol we bother had a good laugh. At the end of the competition and I received a silver medal. Again I said thank you to the volunteers and the athletes I competed against. I watched everyone else who competed, after my dad and my brother competed, my dad had to leave. My mom came and watched us. After the competition ended, I helped by judging who’s turn it was (in bocce). I really enjoyed it. After we helped picked up, the Lee’s Summit Crew went to get ice cream, when we got there, I was going to order , but my dad was paying for my. I thought my dad left, but I guess I didn’t. I got cookies n cream ice cream (my favorite). Also when I was competing in singles I asked my dad to get me a shirt, and he did. I was happy about that. In the evening, we went to the open ceremony, it was outside,  for dinner we had hamburger,  snack size chips, banana, energy bar and chick fil a chocolate chip. I visited with some of my friends, went to the SOMO store, saw fireworks, they were pretty amazing. Everyone else went back to the hotel, except my mom, Jesse, TJ and I, we stayed to see a softball game. It was good. Went back to the hotel after the game, got ready for bed and the next day. I was tired from a full day of fun! 

Competition Day two: Softball (9-28-19)

This morning I woke up at 7:30am. Got ready to play some softball. We grabbed our belongs that we need for the day and met everyone at breakfast, I ate a light breakfast, mostly just protein and fruit. We all were finished we met up in the entry of the hotel inside, waited until everyone is ready, we all loaded up to the vans and drove to the softball fields. Our first game was at 12pm, we have to be at the field an hour pearly before the game start. We all got settled in, we all practiced catching and throwing and we all hit off the tee. When the game was over (that just ended) we got into our dugout and got everything prepared to go. And guess what...we were going to play against Becca’s softball game. We were playing into the first inning, and it started to storm, so both teams rushed to the dugouts and see if it’s okay or if we should grab our gear and head to the vans. While we were waiting in the dugouts we are out lunch, when our coach got the call, we all headed to the vans and waited there, and ate our lunches. When the coach found out that they canceled the game, we went to get ice cream again, but this time I had chocolate ice cream,, we all went back to the hotel after we finished our ice creams. We all got cleaned up, and relaxed, some of us played uno, watched tv, or got on our phones (not saying any names lol) some of us walked around our floor (9th floor) it was cool because I started a walking club on my team while we had free time. Got ready for the dance. And we all met up at the elevator and got into the vans. For dinner we had home made Mac and cheese) green beans, pull pork sandwich and ice cream. We all decided what we wanted to do, dance or bingo. I missed the athlete input council. But I heard it was a great turnout, so I was glad to hear that! We all danced, and I saw some of my friends, Jesse went to bingo and won 2 beanie babies. When the dance was over, we all got ready for bed, then met up in the hall, and we visited, ate some snacks and walked (again) on our floor. Then eventually we all went to bed, before I went to bed I started to pick up my stuff. 

Day Three: Going Home (9-29-19)

We woke up and packed up our last minute stuff and ate breakfast before we all go home. We all got our suitcases and met outside to load up, we all said our goodbyes. And we left. Jesse, Darion and I slept the whole way (before we stopped to get drinks) when I got home, both of the dogs jumped on me, they always put a smile on my face! 

I was disappointed that we couldn’t finish our softball game, we all practiced for nothing but there is always next year, and I’m just glad I made memories and competed and met new friends. 

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)