2570 Blvd. of the Generals, Suite 124, Norristown, PA, 19403 Tel (610) 630-9450 www.specialolympicspa.org

Summer 2019

SOAR: Special Olympics Athlete Review Pennsylvania

Becoming an Athlete Representative and Global Messenger Graduate – A Journey Katie Miller, Berks County Athlete Representative and Global Messenger

My name is Katie Miller and I have been participating in Special Olympics activities for 11 years. I represent Berks County and compete in Volleyball, Floor Hockey and Softball and have competed in Swimming, Basketball and Soccer. This year, I decided to try something new by participating in bocce. Four years ago, I was asked by the Berks County Management Team if I would be interested in serving as the Athlete Representative. While I said yes, I wasn’t really sure what I was getting into until I attended my first training. During that training, I was fascinated when I learned about all the opportunities Athlete Leaders had at all levels of the organization.

A few months later, I found out that there was an opportunity for me to attend another Athlete Leadership University session. I had seen Global Messengers speak at several competitions before; however, I didn’t know how to become one until after I completed my first training. In just six months, I became trained in two different ambassador roles for Special Olympics. Attending Athlete Leadership University is a major commitment. The trainings last almost a whole weekend where you’re in a classroom setting with very little downtime. However, having instructors that are Athlete Leaders and Mentors share real life experiences helped engage me better so I could accomplish the same things. Sometimes, the sessions have been close enough to me that I was able to commute from home. Other times, I’ve gone to sessions three or more hours away, one of which was in Indiana County during a snow storm! Even though I accomplished a lot in my first year as an Athlete Leader, I was far from done. Athlete Leadership University is the same as any other university curriculum. In order to advance to the next level, you have to complete a series of practicums. One of my first assignments was being asked to give a short speech welcoming athletes to the Eastern Fall Sectional Sectionals held at East Stroudsburg University. Shortly after, I was asked to speak again at the Eastern Spring Sectional at Kutztown University. During that speech, I got to meet Dr. Christine Lott, a professor at Kutztown. Since she thought I did a great job with my speech at the event, she invited me to speak to her class later that month. When I first became a Global Messenger, I did get nervous occasionally in front of big crowds, however in the end, it all worked out really well.

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These experiences led me to sigh up for the Global Messenger II course and some more homework and practicums. That took some time and some hard work. But we all know those two things usually pay off. Of course my Mentor, coaches, and the state staff were very helpful and encouraging. I then decided to take the next step and complete Athlete Representative II. This past spring, I served on the Games Organizing Committee for the Eastern Spring Sectional. Even though I was competing and tired after a long day of competition, I still stayed after to help the rest of the committee clean up because I wanted to be a part of as many thing as I could. Four weekends of courses and training and a good bit of homework in all. I met many new friends that I keep in touch with and picked up several new skills to lead by example. This past August I was proud to attend the Graduation banquet and ceremony at the Penn Stater Hotel with cap and gown. I received a diploma as a Global Messenger and one for Athlete Representative. I am ready to try to inspire fellow athletes to do our best every day. I am also ready to represent all athletes to people willing to listen to our stories and what we stand for. I want you to consider starting the path I have been on. It will be challenging but fun. And you can help our great organization even more than you do now. Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt. Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s words kind of say it all doesn’t it? Katie Miller is an Athlete Leader from Berks County and has been participating in Special Olympics for 11 years. Katie is proud to be a member of the county management team and member of the Athlete Leadership University Class of 2019.

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The Learning Continues Troy Jackson, Bucks County Health and Fitness Coordinator and Global Messenger

I’ve been involved with Special Olympics for the past 14 years and have enjoyed every moment of it. Two years ago, I happened to get an e-mail with a newsletter called SOAR. When I first opened it, I saw some amazing stories from other athletes whose accomplishments on and off the field empowered them to accomplish other great things within their community. As soon as I finished reading SOAR, I immediately started typing up a story for the next edition. In that story, I talked about my athletic accomplishments and how Special Olympics has helped me develop a positive mindset, eat healthy and exercise on a regular basis. Shortly after I submitted my story, I found out that there was a position for athletes like me that were interested in promoting a healthy lifestyle. The name of the training I went through was called

“Healthy Lifestyles”, which then allowed me to become a Health and Fitness Coordinator. I’ve had amazing experience as a Health and Fitness Coordinator by leading Healthy Habits discussions, organizing health and fitness clubs and helping my fellow athletes set personal sports and fitness goals. As a result of my accomplishments locally, I then got the opportunity to instruct Healthy Lifestyles at Athlete Leadership University the last two years. After continuing with my practicum, I then got to graduate with a degree in health during the Athlete Leadership University graduation ceremony. The same weekend, I also became trained as a global messenger so I can tell even more people about my accomplishments and how Special Olympics can empower them to live a healthier lifestyle. Additionally, this is also my first year coaching for flag football. I feel the skills I have picked up as a Health and Fitness Coordinator will help me greatly so that other athletes can achieve their personal bests! In the last 14 years, I’ve made several new friends and look forward to many great opportunities down the road!

Troy Jackson is an Athlete Leader from Bucks County and has been participating in Special Olympics for 14 years. Troy is a member of the Athlete Leadership University Class of 2019. Outside of Special Olympics, Troy enjoys practicing martial arts and cooking.

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My World Games Experience Aaron Keller, Luzerne County and 2019 World Games Athlete

Back in March, I was one of the 13 athletes that represented Team USA at this year’s World Games. Everything about the World Games in the United Arab Emirates was amazing and exciting! From training to Send off, to Opening and Closing Ceremonies. It was an experience of a lifetime! For me personally some of the highlights were: meeting people from all around the world, seeing the tallest building in the world and competing with other athletes who showed their determination and abilities to the world as well as support for each other.

When I started participating in Special Olympics, I began as a walker. Running was not something I even considered. However, I gradually excelled from long distance walking into long distance running. All my hard work over the years had led me to go halfway around the world to earn a gold medal in the 10k at the highest level of competition for Special Olympics!

I also recently discovered that there is more to Special Olympics than just sports. Next year, my goal is to become a Global Messenger and help my Local Program raise money, recruit new athletes and new volunteers.

I’m extremely grateful for everything Special Olympics has given me and I’m looking forward to giving back!

Aaron Keller is an athlete from Luzerne County and has been participating in Special Olympics for 13 years. Outside of Special Olympics, Aaron enjoys volunteering with his church.

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Hear My Story Louis Fornataro, Lawrence County Athlete Representative and Athlete as Coach

Hi my name is Louis Fornataro from Lawrence County I been in special Olympics for 12 years now. I compete bocce, volleyball, basketball and bowling. In the last 6 months I have been doing a lot of stuff with special Olympics. Earlier this year, I was asked to join Lawrence County’s Athlete Leadership Team. Up until that point, I didn’t know that I had the opportunity to represent my fellow athletes and help make the program better for everyone involved. Shortly after I joined the Athlete Leadership Team, I felt I had the opportunity to make an even bigger impact. There were two things I really wanted to accomplish. First, I wanted to eventually become Chair of Lawrence’s Athlete Leadership Team. Second, I wanted

to become a coach so I could still be active in the sports I love, even if I eventually become physically unable to compete in them. I got to go to Sheetz’s Operations Center, just outside of Altoona a couple times this year to attend two different Athlete Leadership University sessions. The courses were: Athlete Representative I: I got to learn the basics of serving on a committee and solving problems and Athletes as Coaches: I got to learn how to become an effective coach and share my skills and knowledge with my peers. A couple weeks after my basketball team qualified for Summer Games, I was asked to give the oath at Opening Ceremonies. I was really nervous at first, but it felt great hearing thousands of people cheer me on. I knew if I could speak in front of almost 3,000 people, I could excel more when speaking with smaller groups. My Mentor and I got the honor of instructing the next Athlete Representative I course at Athlete Leadership University. Afterwards, I also got asked to serve on the Games Organizing Committee for the Western Fall Sectional at Slippery Rock, where I know my experience from that event would help the rest of the committee understand what the athletes want. When you join special Olympics, you get a great opportunity to play any sport and hear your name called when you accomplish something. I got involved because in 2006, I had a good friend that got me told me to go bowling with them. I never thought that one trip to a bowling alley would lead to 12 years of things I never thought would happen. Now, I’m really excited to accomplish my next goals. Louis Fornataro is an Athlete Representative and Athlete as Coach from Lawrence County and has been participating in Special Olympics for 12 years. Outside of Special Olympics, Louis enjoys going to the movies and hanging out with friends and family.

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Swimming Towards Excellence Caitlin Baran, Centre County Global Messenger

My Name is Caitlin Baran. I am an athlete from Centre County and this is my third year participating in Special Olympics, and representing Centre County in Summer Games. My first year I was chosen to represent Centre County in athletics at Summer Games, my second year I was chosen to represent Centre County in tennis, and this past year I was chosen to represent Centre county in swimming. Since joining Special Olympics three years ago I have participated in athletics, bocce, golf, swimming, and tennis. I would have to say swimming if my favorite sport so far, however, there are things I enjoy about each of them. While there may be some sports that I am better at than others, I continue to strive towards achieving new goals in each of them. I have learned a lot about myself by participating in Special Olympics. Prior to the 2019 Summer Games the

longest distance I had swam in competition was 100 meters. One of my coaches challenged me to swim the 200-meter freestyle at Summer Games. I was nervous about swimming the 200-meter freestyle for the first time ever especially at Summer Games. The 200-meter freestyle was on Saturday morning. On Friday night at the victory dance I got to talk to some members of the Penn State University swimming and diving team. Some of whom I met at previous Special Olympics functions. One of the swimmers named Maddie, who I have known for several years and met at the Beaver Stadium run told me that she would be cheering me on during the 200-meter freestyle the next day. My youngest cousin Lily Seagraves also participates in Special Olympics. Lily is also a swimmer and represented Delaware County in the Summer Games. It was great to have Lily and her parents Carolyn and Jeff, as well as my parents, Maddie, and her teammate Heather all cheering me on during the 200-meter freestyle. I ended up with a bronze medal in the 200-meter freestyle. While there is room for improvement I’d say I did pretty well considering the fact that it was my first time ever swimming the 200-meter freestyle in competition. I’m looking forward to improving times in the 2020 swimming season. By swimming the 200-meter freestyle I learned that nothing is impossible as long as you have support and believe in yourself. Caitlin Baran is a Global Messenger from Centre County and has been participating in Special Olympics for 3 years. Outside of Special Olympics, Caitlin plays ice hockey for the Beaver Valley Special Hockey Association and has both an undergraduate and graduate degree from Lock Haven and Shippensburg University respectively.

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Sportsmanship, A Gold Medal Within Itself Jordan Schubert, Athlete Leadership Coordinator

One thing that you see in Special Olympics more than you see anywhere else is genuine sportsmanship. When I talk about sportsmanship, I’m talking about more than just shaking someone’s hand. If an athlete falls, even if it’s in the middle of a game or race, you’ll see a competitor help them up. When an athlete’s sad that they barely lost a gold medal, you see their opponents coming over to hug them. When an athlete’s hurt and still being treated at the medical table, you still see other opposing athletes going over to check on them. The best examples of sportsmanship are those athletes

demonstrate it on their own without being told to by their coach or official. My outlook on winning and losing changes from year to year as I get older, always for the better of course. Since I won a lot of gold medals in my first few years of participating in Special Olympics, I always thought it would be easy. When faced with a challenge though, I was always frightened before the game even started. As I entered adulthood, I quickly learned that you’re not going to get anywhere in sports, or even life, if you play like you’re afraid to lose. Sometimes, you have to assert yourself and let everyone else know you mean business, especially when you’re not that big or fast like me. However, there is a fine line between being aggressive and being reckless. Some sports like bowling, bocce and golf, you never need to worry about those things. However, as someone that plays two sports that take a physical and emotional toll on your body and mind, those are things you have to be aware of if you want to succeed while still being viewed as a good sport. Back in April, my basketball team had to go up against a team that was way bigger and faster than us. Mentally, I would say we still had an edge, however, their physical strengths went way beyond our mental. Even though the other team was way better than us, we tried holding our own for as long as we could, even while they broke some unwritten rules. When I say unwritten rules, I mean things that aren’t illegal, but things you should not be doing when you’ve essentially won a game before it’s ended. They were issuing full court presses throughout both games we played them, even while they were up by double digits and their coaches hardly played their lower ability players late in the game. For those that don’t understand basketball, it’s kind of like in football, keeping your starting quarterback in a game when you’re up by 40 and allowing him to throw an 80 yard hail-mary with under 2 minutes left in the game. That being said, we were extremely frustrated and played a little more physical than we usually did which ultimately caused every athlete and coach on both sides to lose their cool and led to the 2nd game to be called just a few minutes into the start of the 2nd half. Once we all calmed down, my teammates and I decided to make it a goal to demonstrate how to appropriately conduct ourselves when facing a lower ability team so that everyone’s a winner. I also made it a personal goal to demonstrate more acts of genuine sportsmanship throughout the season.

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In a tournament we played in a week later, one of the teams in our division was the polar opposite as the team we played the week before. While we didn’t issue any full court presses, we did pick off passes and blocked shots to build a substantial lead. However, once we knew they were a lower ability team, we eased off. We still played our game offensively, but defensively though, we made space for them and encouraged them to shoot. On long rebounds, we’d let them get it so they could have another shot. It’s one thing if you lose to a team that’s better than you. It’s another thing if you lose and your opponent humiliates you like that other team did to us the week before. We then did the exact same thing against some of the teams we faced at the Area M invitational a month later. By treating lower ability teams with more respect, it made me feel even better. They didn’t ask to be placed against teams way above them just like we never ask for that to happen to us either. If that does come to be the case, it’s up to the superior team to make sure their opponent feels like they’re still giving their best. It doesn’t mean you have to throw the game, it just means you can back off a little bit and let the younger and lower ability athletes have their moments to shine too. Fortunately, at Spring Sectionals and Summer Games, we were about as evenly matched as can be. After winning our first game at Kutztown though, we lost the second in overtime which caused us to get silver. What made it even more frustrating was that we did not even know if we would go to Summer Games as there was one more division than there was in previous years. However, I still went out of my way to talk with the players and coaches of the team that beat us, something I never would have done when I was younger. Even though I felt good showing natural displays of sportsmanship, I couldn’t sleep that night until I found out the next day my team was drawn. At Summer Games, three of our four games were decided by two points. Unfortunately, we were on the short end of two of them, with one of them ending in double overtime. I played 102 consecutive minutes without any breaks. However, after the post game handshake, I spent time talking to almost every athlete and coach from each of the three teams in our division. I particularly gained a lot of respect for the athletes and coaches of the Philadelphia All-Stars, the team that won gold in our division. Even though they beat us three times this year, they also went out of their way to congratulate us after a hard fought game each time. Last year, we had a perfect season winning gold at all five of our major tournaments, including a victory over Team PA. As frustrating as it was to have worked so hard to replicate it for this year and come up short, it reminded me how special last year really was and how important it is to stay humble and hungry every year because nothing is ever guaranteed. There are only two things you can control in a basketball game: the shoes you wear and your attitude. Respect does not always come from victory, but rather how you treat yourself and others regardless of the result. Jordan Schubert is the Athlete Leadership Coordinator for Special Olympics Pennsylvania and has been participating in Special Olympics for 15 years. Jordan is also a proud graduate of West Chester University.

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Opening Ceremonies Athlete Input Survey Results From mid-July until the end of August, Special Olympics Pennsylvania conducted a survey asking athletes how Opening Ceremonies can be improved at all events. This survey was completed by 225 athletes! Demographics Of Completed Surveys: Geographic Location:

Region 1 (Greater Erie Area): 12%

Region 2 (Greater State College Area): 3%

Region 3 (Greater Williamsport Area): 3%

Region 4 (Greater Scranton Area): 2%

Region 5 (Greater Allentown Area): 18%

Region 6 (Greater Philadelphia Area): 28%

Region 7 (Greater Harrisburg Area): 13%

Region 8 (Greater Altoona Area): 7%

Region 9 (Greater Pittsburgh Area): 14%

Age Range:

8-15: 5% 16-25: 22%

26-49: 64% 50+: 10%

Gender:

Male: 44% Female: 56%

Number of Years Participating in Special Olympics:

Less than 5 years: 19% 5-10 years: 28% More than 10 years: 53%

Opening Ceremonies Feedback: How Long Should Opening Ceremonies Last:

Less than 30 minutes: 21% 30-45 minutes: 32%

45 minutes-1 hour: 33% More than 1 hour: 13%

What Entertainment Would You Like To Have At Opening Ceremonies (This Includes Multiple Selections):

Dancing: 55% Singing: 50% Bands: 42% Fireworks: 54% Sports Exhibitions: 37% Theatrical Performances: 21% Cheerleaders: 55% Confetti Cannon: 31%

None of These: 4% Other: 8%

o Responses for “Other”: Comedy More interaction with

audience.

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How Many Minutes Worth Of Entertainment Should Be At Opening Ceremonies: Less than 5 minutes: 8% 5-10 minutes: 22%

10-15 minutes: 38% More than 15 minutes: 33%

Asides From the Emcee(s), What Other Speaker(s) Would You Like To Hear From (This Includes Multiple Selections):

Global Messenger: 51%

Special Olympics Pennsylvania President & CEO/Senior Leadership Team Member: 43%

Special Olympics Pennsylvania Board Chair/Member: 25%

Local celebrity: 55% Representative from host site: 33%

Law Enforcement Torch Run Officer: 44%

None of these: 7% Other: 8%

o Responses for “Other”: More Global

Messengers allowed to speak

Local business owner WWE Star

Additional Feedback:

Have athletes sing the National Anthem. Have athletes perform with cheerleaders. Perform skits. Let athletes be greeters. More athletes bringing in the torch. Play videos of athletes talking about their experiences. Stream live on Facebook. Start on time. Performers should be allowed a maximum of 2 songs. Limit the length of speeches to 2 minutes. Have Opening Ceremonies outdoors at Summer Games again, or alternate between

venues. Thanks to all the athletes that completed the Opening Ceremonies Athlete Input Survey. This feedback is currently being reviewed by an ad-hoc committee of athletes, volunteers and staff. If you were unable to complete the survey or have additional feedback on Opening Ceremonies for any event, please contact ad-hoc liaison, Teresa Amaturo at tamaturo@specialolympicspa.org.

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Athlete Recognition SOAR would like to congratulate the following athletes that were honored at the 2019 Leadership Conference: Athlete Leadership University Class of 2019:

Lisa Barbour, Philadelphia: Athlete Representative and Global Messenger Jennifer Bottomley, Adams: Global Messenger Jack Founds, Chester: Global Messenger Troy Jackson, Bucks: Healthy Lifestyles Travis Jones, Lawrence: Athlete as Coach Leanna Krogmann, Franklin: Athlete Representative and Healthy Lifestyles Meaghan Martin, Area P: Global Messenger Katie Miller, Berks: Athlete Representative and Global Messenger Chloe Phillips, Lancaster: Athlete Representative and Healthy Lifestyles Elizabeth Porter, Bradford/Sullivan: Healthy Lifestyles Sharon Quarles, Philadelphia: Healthy Lifestyles Bobbi Jo Rhen, Lebanon: Global Messenger and Athlete as Coach Sebastian Shiro, Area M: Global Messenger Amanda Swazey, Northumberland/Snyder: Global Messenger Kyale Tulos, Lebanon: Healthy Lifestyles William Voltz, Crawford: Healthy Lifestyles Zachary Williams, Fayette: Healthy Lifestyles

Male Athlete of the Year: Christopher Branda, Northumberland/Snyder Female Athlete of the Year: Emily Mazur, Allegheny Special Olympics Pennsylvania Hall of Fame:

Nina Kaneriya, Columbia/Montour

Corey Markle, York

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Important Notices Jordan Schubert, Athlete Leadership Coordinator 2020 Athlete Congress Update:

The 2020 Athlete Congress will take place Friday, August 28th-Sunday, August 30th at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center.

o All programs may only send one Athlete Representative and Mentor. o All Athlete Representatives must be in attendance all three days. No exceptions will

be made. o Registration will be available beginning sometime between next April and May.

Athlete Leadership University Interest Form:

Any athlete looking to be trained as an Athlete Leader should fill out the Athlete Leadership University Interest Form.

o This is NOT a registration form. It allows me to better know who is interested in completing which courses.

o Registration to attend Athlete Leadership University requires approval from your Local Program Manager/Director. If you don’t know who your Local Program Manager/Director is, click here.

Athlete Leadership University Practicum Report Forms

All Athlete Leadership University Practicum Report Forms can now be filled in online! o Global Messenger I o Global Messenger II o Athlete Representative I o Athlete Representative II o Healthy Lifestyles

Athletes as Coaches does not have an online report form since it requires a signature of Head Coach or Training Coordinator.

Any report forms submitted by athletes that have not completed a course will not be counted (i.e. Health and Fitness Coordinators that haven’t completed Healthy Lifestyles)

New Graduation Eligibility Deadline:

Starting in 2020, all Athlete Leaders must have their practicum completed by June 15th in order to be eligible for that year’s graduation ceremony.

o The deadline may be extended under the following circumstances: There are fewer than 10 Athlete Leaders eligible If June 15th is on a weekend, then the deadline will be the Monday after. An Athlete Leader that’s already been declared eligible in one course

completes their practicum in another. Any Athlete Leader that’s one report form shy of becoming eligible will receive a reminder

around April 15th. Any Athlete Leader that completes their practicum after the deadline will become eligible

to walk at the following year’s graduation ceremony.

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New Health and Fitness Coordinator Resource:

Coming this Fall, athletes will have the opportunity to learn how to become a Health and Fitness Coordinator, specifically on how to offer a Health and Fitness Club locally.

This resource will be a video in the online volunteer portal. Once finished watching the video, athlete will be required to complete a quiz.

o If quiz is passed, athlete will receive an e-mail notification that they have been certified as a Non-Athlete Leadership University Health and Fitness Coordinator with other essential information specific towards the Health and Fitness Coordinator role and when the next Healthy Lifestyles training will be taking place.

Athlete Leadership Team Reminder: All Athlete Leadership Teams (ALTs) are required to submit their minutes to me following each meeting. Minutes can be sent via:

E-mail: jschubert@specialolympicspa.org OR

Mail: Attn: Jordan Schubert, 2570 Blvd. of the Generals Suite 124, Norristown, PA 19403 OR

Fax: Attn : Jordan Schubert, 610-630-9456 Athlete Leadership Facebook Group: Are you on Facebook and want to communicate more with your fellow athletes? Send a friend request to Jelsea Schrob (a combined name for myself, Jordan Schubert and Director of Programming Projects, Chelsea Drob) to be added to SOPA’s Athlete Leadership Facebook group. This group is a great way to interact with athletes, as well as receive the most up to date Athlete Leadership information. If you’re not on Facebook, creating an account is quick, easy and free! Email Address Update: I would like to be able to reach as many athletes as possible. If you haven’t received any emails from me, or your email address has changed in the last year, please email me at jschubert@specialolympicspa.org.

Share Your Story: If you would like to share a story on Fall Festival, Polar Plunges or any other recent Special Olympics experiences, please e-mail me at jschubert@specialolympicspa.org by December 31st for a chance to have your story shared in the Summer 2019 Edition of SOAR.