Special Olympics Seminole County

Athlete Leadership Board

Special Olympics Seminole County wants to start an athlete management team. This te= am will discuss important issues, concerns, or improvements they wish to see implemented. Athlete leaders must be over the age of 16 and we need at leas= t 4 athletes to begin the team. The board will meet once a month beginning in 2= 007. Please contact Debbie Taylor to get involved or for more information: DTaylor@SpecialOl= ympicsSeminoleCounty.org or 407-699-4776.

ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

Pamela Lorraine Scribner AKA “Pammy” was born on 4/20/88. As with many of our kids, Pammy was quite a surprise. Pam started Special Olympics at 10 years old, and soon mastered soccer skills. As Pam grew she was ready for basketball! Bouncing was not bad, but dribblin= g was tough. As a parent and concer= ned coach I felt the best training method was to smile and laugh. Pamela has completed in soccer, basketball, swimming, and cheerleading.&nb= sp; All of this activity, all of these early Saturday mornings are possi= ble, due to the tireless efforts of coaches, volunteers and generous facilities = for Seminole County Special Olympics. My thanks and praise go to each person involved who gives of their t= ime, and talent. These individuals= that spend much time planning, attending trainings and meetings even before they your athlete on the court, or track or pool. They all deserve our admiration, a= nd thanks. Pamela has made friends that extend beyond the Saturday morning practices. She has used the s= kill, and strength, and coordination many times outside of the Sports arena. It is exciting to watch Pamela rea= ch beyond what she thinks is her limit, to take the chance, fail or succeed. Pamela has decided to continue Special Olympics until she can decorate all = of her walls with ribbons and medals, and Doreen and I will be there for all t= he attempts!

.…...Coaches Corner…..<= /p>

Coaches Training Certification Classes…

Basketball/Bocce, Track and Field, and Cycling coming up!

More Info: www.= SpecialOlympicsSeminoleCounty.org/Coaches

Coaches Meeting

Coaches Meeting on N<= span style=3D'mso-ansi-font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"T= imes New Roman"; color:black'>ovember 14 at the Casselberry Senior Center at 6:30pm.

Coaches Conference

Join us at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Tampa for a weekend full of sports updates and information. The conference will b= e on January 26-27, 2007. Please sign-ups for the conference with Debbie Taylor = or get more information at DTaylor@SpecialOl= ympicsSeminoleCounty.org or 407-699-4776.

…...VOLUNTEERS MAKE IT HAPPEN…..

Volunteer Voices

Hi my name is Marie El-Khour= y and I have been volunteering with Special Olympics for almost two years, but have been involved with the Special Population for over 16 years. I en= joy coaching Cheerleading and watching the guys= and girls learn new skills, perform fun routines and have a great time! T= heir smiles, cheerful attitudes and HUGE hugs, make the fun of coaching them that much more exciting and fulfilling! When I can, I try to help with oth= er programs like swimming and belly dancing. But, the best part of being= a volunteer for Special Olympics is the joy it brings to my heart-no matter h= ow bad my day has been, every one of those kids knows how to make all your wor= ries disappear!     &nb= sp;        -Marie El-khoury, Cheerleading Coach, Charbel’s Sister

…...News To Note…..

SEMINOLE COUNTY GOLFERS AT FUNDRAIS= ER FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Special = Olympics Seminole County golfers Mike Badders and George Gibson took part in the rec= ent Tenth Annual Special Olympics Florida Golf Classic on Monday, October 9th. Over 228 golfers took to the links for one of Centra= l Florida’s premier charity golf tournament, held at the beautiful Heathrow and Red Tail Country Clubs. All proceeds from this event benefit the 15,000 athletes of Special Olympics Florida. Thanks to Tournament Chairman Jerry Thole and the event organizing committee, to date, this tournament has netted over $1,400= ,000 for Special Olympics Florida!

After a = day of golf and camaraderie, tournament participants returned to the Heathrow Coun= try Club for a gourmet feast, provided by the Heathrow Country Club Catering st= aff and Gator’s Dockside Restaurants. Wrapping up the day’s activit= ies were a silent auction and a short program, hosted by WESH 2’s Sports Director Pat Clarke and Anchor (and Special Olympics Florida Board Member) = Jim Payne. PGA Pro Donnie Hammond made remarks, as well as Dwaine Stevens of Presenting Sponsor, Publix Super Markets.

Michael = Badders and George Gibson were both interviewed by Pat Clarke and then got to be pa= rt of a surprise check presentation to Special Olympics Florida, from the event committee, for $1,412,327 – the amount the tournament has raised for Special Olympics over 10 years!

&nb= sp;

…...All Star Football Game…..<= /span>

The 8^th Annual Central Florida High School All-star Football Game, benefiting Speci= al Olympics Florida, will be held this year on Saturday, December 16^{th
at 7:00pm at Showalter Field in Winter
Park. Athletes of all ages are welcome. The BBQ st=
arts
at 4:00pm and the game starts at 7:00pm.}

Each athlete may bring 1 guest (chaperone, parent, et= c.) and both will receive free entry to the BBQ and the Game. Between the BBQ a= nd the Game, we'll pair our athletes up with the All-star football players and cheerleaders for fun activities. The BBQ provides these student-athletes to become more aware of the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities= on a first-hand basis, while having fun and building friendships.

   &nb= sp;        For more information: www.Spec= ialOlympicsSeminoleCounty.org/AllStar.html

.……...Communication………..

Has your Contact Information Changed? If you are an athlete, coach, volunteer, sponsor, or a community partner, please let us k= now if you information needs to be updated. Please send all changes to 407-263-= 8043 or info@SpecialOl= ympicsSeminoleCounty.org or visit: h= ttp://specialolympicsseminolecounty.org/UpdateInfo

…...COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS.….

This section of our newsletter will help others connect with all of the happenin= gs within our community.

Have something you want to share wi= th everyone? Let us know and we will add it to our Community Section!
___________________________________________________________________________= __________

The Sparklers Bring Sm= iles to Thousands! While many of our Athletes were performing at the State Games, some of our Sparklers were cheering their way down Orange Ave in the UCF Homecoming Parade.   They had a chan= ce to meet other cheerleaders, and share their smiles cheering loudly with what h= as become their “trademark” cheer…”Who Rocks the House= ” to the crowd that lined the street! Click here for the pics!

Sp= ooktacular Halloween! Some of our at= hletes gathered in Nin’s neighborhood to “Trick or Treat”,,,but = not sure who may have had better time… the adults or our “Not-So-Very-Scary” Athletes!    Clic= k here for the pics!

Sparklers perform at the Orlando Magic game! 35 Special Ol= ympics Cheerleaders performed at the Orlando Magic Game Pre-Game Show on Tuesday October 24, 2006. After their performance the athletes and families got to enjoy the game against the Mia= mi Heat. A special Thanks to the Orlando Magic staff for the great evening!= Click here for the pics!

City Of Altamonte- Special Community Services

Provides many social outlets for individuals with physical and mental disabilities! =

Contact: Nin El-khoury, 407-571-8814, Rrel-khoury@altamonte.org

Upcoming Events:

Special Needs Bowling on Mondays   &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       Square Dancing on Thursdays (beginning September 21)

Specials NightBird= Dance at Westmonte Park         = Holiday Gala; Friday, December 8, 2006; 6-9:30pm

&nbs= p;

Dance-Abi= lities

Turni= ng Pointe – A Dance Studio offers a class entitled Dance Abilities for children with special needs. = This class focuses on coordination, balance, and creative movement. The children have so much fun and = they meet many other dancers just like them.&nb= sp; The dancers range in age from 4-12 years old. Classes have started, so please st= op by to check it out and register! There is only a $20 registration fee for the = year because the class is FREE! If you have any further questions call Heather M= eyer at 407-862-5500 or email Turningpte@a= ol.com

“Buddy Breaks” From= Nathaniel’s Hope…Helping Parents Take a Time Out!<= o:p>

Many dates available for you to take a break! 407-857-8224

Special Needs Library Program

Jean Rhein Central Branch Library in Casselberry and the East Branch Library in Oviedo are hosting Library programs the second Saturday of every month at 10am for special needs individuals. Dec. 9 East Branch

Central Branch: 407-665-1500        &= nbsp;   East Branch: 407-665-1560 www.seminolecountyfl.gov/l= ibrary

&nbs= p;

Illiad- Independent Living Initiative Assisting the Disabled

This program assists students in Central Florida in developing the skills that will promote a positive transition from high sch= ool into the adult world. “Buildi= ng the Future With the Succedss For Today!”

More Information: Shari Grat at 407-320-0016 or email are Shari_Gray@scps.k12.fl.us

SEPTA- Special Education Parent Teacher Association in Seminole County Public Schools

“Dedicated as a resource for parents and teache= rs committed to the education and optimal development of children of every exceptionality” Contact: 407-320-7871 or Septa@inaime.com

.……...CONTROL YOUR NEWS……..

Newsletters are publis= hed on the 10^th of every month. To add content for the E-newsletter, please submit information by the 5^th= of every month. Information on upcoming events, jokes, quotes, anecdotes, or any other related information is welcome! Contact Kevin Lajeune= sse for any newsletter related questions: 407-257-7730       KLajeunesse@S= pecialOlympicsSeminoleCounty.org or visit the website to submit your information electronically: http://www.specialolympicsseminolecounty.org/MonthlyENewsletter.html (Scroll to the bottom of the page)<= o:p>