1.Lake County SummerOlympics 2013 TriangleElementaryStephanie Fullerstephaniefuller@knights.ucf.edu14 April 2013EEX 4070 Spring 2013

2. Lake County Special Olympics The Lake County Special Olympics provides sportstraining and competition over 300 children and adultswith intellectual disabilities, at no cost to the athleteor their caregiver as a means to achieve physicalfitness, self-esteem and the life skills necessary to beproductive, respected and contributing members oftheir communities. These athletes are trained by certified coaches, andare supported and encouraged by volunteers. Special Olympics athletes are given opportunities toparticipate without regard to economic, demographic,religious, or social factors. Activities exist for those ofall ability levels, from the highly functioning to theseverely challenged. 3. Summer Olympic Sports Events Shot put Relay races Softball throw Tennis ball throw Volleyball 50 meter, 100 meter, mile running races 50 meter, 100 meter, mile walking races 4. Award Ceremonies Awards are given to the Top 3 athletes ineach athletic event. Most athletes participate in more than oneevent, so many leave with several awards. Athletes receive a blue, red, or yellow ribbondepending on their placing in their event andstand on a podium in World Olympic fashionfor crowd recognition and photoopportunities. 5. Connection to My Course This project was completed for EEX 4070 TeachingExceptional Children Spring 2013. Through this experience I had the opportunity to meetand interact with many individuals with varying physicaland mental disabilities. I feel that after this experience I am more prepared toteach exceptional education students and I now also haveknowledge of a local event that my students couldpotentially participate in as well. Just as the Special Olympics encourages events attainableto all persons; I plan to create a classroom environmentthat also provides opportunities for every student toparticipate in, enjoy, and grow from. 6. Civic Engagement andFinal Thoughts I am so glad to have had these doors opened through myEEX course. I have volunteered in many communityservice and volunteer projects throughout my life, but Idont know if I wouldve been led to the Special Olympicswere it not for this assignment. I feel that by contributing just a small part to the specialneeds community I was able to gain so much and learn somuch from the experience and hopefully helped thosearound me do the same. Now that I am aware of the Lake County Special OlympicsI plan on volunteering my services next year as well andmaking those around me aware of its existence so morecommunity members can also contribute and enjoy thisexperience as I did.