2011 world games sotx media guide

8/6/2019 2011 World Games SOTX Media Guide

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36 Special Olympics Texas athletes will compete in the experience of a lifetime...when they join 7,000 athletes from 180 countries to celebrate the abilities and accomplishments of children and adwith intellectual disabilities. Its the worlds largest sporting event in 2011!


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2011 WORLD GAMES MEDIA GUIDEThe Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) 2011 WorldSummer Games Media Guide should provide you withinformation needed for your coverage of Team Texas atthe 2011 World Summer Games in Athens, Greece.

COMMUNICATIONS During the Games, there are several ways that you can

follow the successes of Team Texas:Follow us online for updates and photos. Visit:

Special Olympics Texas website www.specialolympicstexas.org

Facebook www.facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsTXTwitter www.twitter.com/SOTexas

Email Kelly Coffey, Vice President of Communications, at [email protected] to sign up foremail updates from the Games.Call the SOTX Communications Department priorto the Games at 512.491.2928 or during the Gam es at512.491.2925/2959.Visit the Special Olympics Team USA website atwww.specialolympicsteamusa.com or the 2011 WorldSummer Games site at www.athens2011.org/en.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS TEXAS

7715 Chevy Chase Drive, Suite 120Austin, Texas 78752

Phone: 512.835.9873 or 800.876.5646Fax: 512.835.7756Email: [email protected]

www.specialolympicstexas.org

1 Introduction2 Special Olympics Mission/Vision/Athlete Oath3 Special Olympics Texas Quick Facts4 World Games Quick Facts5 World Games Schedule6 Map of Team Texas Athletes6 Team Texas Coach Roster7 Team Texas Athlete Roster8 Meet the Texas Athletes14 Meet the Texas Coaches16 Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Le g17 Language Guidelines

I N T R O D U C T I O NT A B LE O F C O NT E NT S


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ATHLETES

In Texas, 40,773 athletes participate in the prog ram.Athletes may begin training as early as six years old, butmust be eight years old to compete. Athletes must be 12years old to attend state-level competitions.

Thanks to the Young Athletes program (YA), whichlaunched in 2005, children ages two through seven canparticipate as an Athlete in Training in areas wherethe program is available.

COMPETITION

Special Olympics Texas is a year-round movement,holding more than 300 competitions annually on area,regional and state levels. Event divisions are based onage, gender and ability level to give athletes an equalchance to win. Each participant receives a medal orribbon following their events.

Special Olympics Texas has three state-levelcompetitions annually: Summer Games, Fall Classicand Winter Games, with locations varying every threeyears. Special Olympics, Inc. holds World Games everyother year and USA National Games every four years.

SPORTS

Special Olympics Texas offers training and competitionin 22 sports: aquatics, athletics, basketball, bocce,bowling, cycling, equestrian, figure skating, flag

football, golf, gymnastics, kayaking, powerlifting, rollerskating, sailing, soccer, softball, speed skating, tabletennis, tennis, triathlon and volleyball.

TRAINING

Special Olympics Texas athletes must train for aminimum of eight weeks prior to each competition.Volunteer coaches, who are required to first completea certification program and attend seasonal trainingschools, are responsible for training the athletes.Competition officials and event directors are alsorequired to attend training schools.

VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are the li feline of the Special Olympprogram. In Texas, more than 47,000 volunteersdedicate their time to Special Olympics. Thesevolunteers serve as coaches, officials, committe

members, competition assistants, speech coachmuch more. There are more than 3,400 voluntecoaches involved in the program.

FUNDING

Special Olympics Texas is a registered 501(c)(3profit organization supported by private donatioindividuals, corporations and organizations thrthe state. Special Olympics is the most cred iblin America according to a survey in the ChronPhilanthropy.

S P E C IA L O L Y M P I C S T E XA S ( S O T X)

OUR MISSIONThe mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in avariety of Olympic-type sports for children and adultswith intellectual disabilities, giving them continuingopportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstratecourage, experience joy and participate in the sharingof gifts, skills and friendships with their families, otherSpecial Olympics athletes and the community.

OUR VISIONIt is our vision to b ecome the premier provider of Special Olympics training and competition in theworld. We approach each endeavor with a single intent to improve the quality of life for our athletes. Thechallenges of the future are embraced with enthusiasmand commitment, ensuring that the changing face andneeds of our athletes are met.

ATHLETE OATH

Let me win. But if I cannot win,let me be brave in the attempt.


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Special Olympics,the global leader inintellectual disabilities,will hold the worldslargest sporting event in2011. The 2011 WorldSummer Games will unitethe world through sports,celebrating the abilitiesand accomplishments of people with intellectualdisabilities and forming anew global vision of acceptance.

WHERE:Athens, Greece

WHEN:June 20-24, 2011 Host Town ProgramJune 25, 2011 Opening CeremonyJune 25-July 4, 2011 Competi tionJuly 4, 2011 Closing Ceremony

PARTICIPANTS:7000 athletes from nearly 180 countries2,500 coaches25,000 volunteers3,000 technical officials and refereesAnd tens of thousands of family, friends, media andspectators

VISION:The Special Olympics World Summer Games willbe the milestone event of a long-lasting movement,

founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, to create aworld that is not dominated by those who are excludedbut by those who are included. In the l and of fairplay, where the true values of competition were born,the talents and skills of the athletes of Special Olympicswill remind us what the World Games are really about,where all participants are winners in their struggle forrespect, inclusion and unity.

SPORTS:Special Olympics athletes of all ability levels andages will compete in 22 Olympic-type sports in thebirthplace of the modern Olympic Games: aquatics,athletics, badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, bocce,bowling, cycling, equestrian, football (soccer), golf,gymnastics, judo, kayaking, powerlifting, roller skating,sailing, softball, table tennis, handball, tennis andvolleyball.Please refer to the schedule on the next page.

VENUES IN ATHENS:ACG The American College of GreeceAGK Agios Kosmas Train ing CenterBAV Olympic Baseball CenterBSP Spata Blanos Sports ParkCOS Olympic StadiumGEA Equestrian Olympic ArenaGGC Glyfada Golf CourseGOUD Goudi Olympic CenterHELC Helliniko Olympic ComplexHOV Olympic Hockey CenterINH Fencing HallMEC Markopoulo Olympic Equestrian Center

OAC Olympic Aquatics CenterOAKA Athens Olympic Sport ComplexOIH Olympic Indoor HallOTC Olympic Tennis CenterOVL Olympic VelodromePAS Panathenaikon StadiumSCH Schinias Olympic Rowing and Canoeing CenterSEF Sports Training HallsSEFP Peace and Friendship Stadium PireausSOV Olympic Softball CenterSSA Schinias Sailing Academy

SPORT SAT 25 SUN26

MON27

TUE28

WED29

THU30

FRI1

SAT 2

SUN3

MON4 VENU

OpeningCeremony OAKA/CO

Aquatics OAKA/OAthletics OAKA/C

Badminton HELC/IBasketball OAKA/O

Beach VolleyballBocce SEFP/SE

Bowling BSPCycling HELC/H

Equestrian MEC

Football(Soccer)

HELC/BAHELC/HO

AGKGolf GGC

Gymnastics(Artistic) HELC/IN

Gymnastics(Rhythmic) HELC/IN

Judo ACGKayaking SCH

Powerlifting OAKA/ORoller Skating SEFP/S

Sailing SSA

Softball HELC/SHandball HELC/INTennis OAKA/O

Volleyball OAKA/CMATP GOUD/GE

Young Athletes GOUD/GClosing

Ceremony PAS


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GREATERHOUSTONAREA 4:Baytown 1Bellaire 1Friendswood 1Houston 8Richmond 1Spring -1

GULF COAST AREA 22:Webster 1

CENTRAL TEXASAREA 13:Doss 1Fredericksburg 1

SAN ANTONIO AREA 20:San Antonio 12Windcrest 1

GREATER FORT WORTHAREA 11:Arlington 1North Richland Hills 2

HEART OF EAST TEXASAREA 6:The Woodlands 1

NAME(alphabetical by last name) SPORT SOTX AREA HOMETODaniel Aldrich Softball 20 San AntonioJoshua Altman Bocce 11 North Richland Hills

Colby Bannister Gymnastics 11 North Richland HillsDaniel Bena Softball 20 San Antonio

Kimberly Bormaster Volleyball 4 Bellaire

Heather Boyer Golf 4

HoustonAmanda Brookshire Gymnastics 10 MelissaCurtis Brown Sailing 10 DallasGabriel Cantu Volleyball 4 BaytownKevin Collins Bocce 11 ArlingtonJared Crowley Softball 20 San AntonioReed Fatheree Softball 20 San Antonio

Kenneth Friedrich* Golf 13 DossHeather Friel Bowling 4 SpringMarcus Gary Kayaking 4 HoustonJNine Gretz Softball 20 WindcrestJustin Hansen Softball 20 San AntonioBilly Harris Golf 13 Fredericksburg

Wayne Hoffman Softball 20 San AntonioAnderson Jones* Sailing 10 Dallas

John Lakey Volleyball 4 HoustonLisa Lepley Volleyball 4 HoustonBobby Lord Kayaking 22 Webster

Eric Martinez Softball 20 San AntonioAmanda Mickan Cycling 4 RichmondWesley Murphy Volleyball 4 Friendswood

Ashley Muth Softball 20 San AntonioVanessa Parra Softball 20 San AntonioBryan Perez Softball 20 San AntonioCody Porter Softball 20 San Antonio

Katherine Richards Volleyball 4 HoustonChristian Summers Softball 20 San Antonio

Katherine Thompson Bocce 6 The WoodlandsPatricia Threatt Volleyball 4 Houston

Frank Tucker Volleyball 4 HoustonLindsey Wesneski Volleyball 4 Houston

*Denotes Unified SportsPartner. Uni fied Sportsis a program that combines athletes with and without intellectualto form sports teams for training and competition.

T EA M T E XA S C O A C H R O S T E R

NA M E S P O R T A R EA H O M E T O W N

S usan Dona ldson Vo lley ba l l 4 Ho us ton

Terry Hansen So f t ba l l 20 San An tonio

A lan Hirs h man Go l f

4 Ho us ton

J us tin Ho fs te t ter So f t ba ll 20 San An tonio

Tay lor Le p ley Vo lley ba l l 4 Ho us ton

S hir ley Mendoza Tennis 4 Ho us ton

Ken Por ter So f t ba l l 20 San An tonio

Teresa S u l livan So f t ba l l 20 San An tonio

Jac k Yoes Sailing 22 Ho uston

GREATER DALLASAREA 10:Dallas 2Melissa 1


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DANIEL ALDRICH 22 years old San AntonioSoftball Daniel Aldrich calls participating inWorld Games the chance of a li fetimethat hell never forget, but hes

proudest of his accomplishments outside of competing.He has served underprivileged children in Mexico,Mississippi and Texas and also served a s a missionary tochildren and the elderly.

Aldrich graduated with honors from NortheastTransitional School and was honored for helping tomanage his schools football, basketball and tennisteams. He spends his spare time biking; playing videogames, basketball and softball; bowling and swimming.

JOSHUA ALTMAN25 years old North Richland HillsBocceJoshua Altman competes inbasketball, bocce, bowling, aquatics,powerlifting, volleyball and cycling

events. He has earned a gold medal in all but two of the seven sports in which he competes. Altman is alsoa Global Messenger, and holds a job as a courtesy clerkthree days a week.

When hes not competing, Altman enjoysdoing word puzzles, watching movies and talking toothers about Special Olympics Texas. Hes excitedabout attending World Games and meeti ng otherathletes from different places.

COLBY BANNISTER24 years old North Richland HillsGymnasticsColby Bannister joined the SOTX

family 16 years ago and is a cycling,aquatics, powerlifting and gymnasticscompetitor. Bannister credits SOTX with allowing himto meet other athletes from around the world. He cantwait to represent the U.S. at the World Games andmake his family and friends proud.

Bannister also excels off the field of play.He is currently a SOTX board member and GlobalMessenger. Among his accomplishments, he has alsobeen recognized as the SOTX - Greater Fort WorthAreas Male Athlete of the Year, Most Spirited Male

at Richland High School, Fort Worth Star-TelegramsYouth of the Year and Greater Fort Worth AreasCommunity Outreach Award winner.

DANIEL BENA24 years old San AntonioSoftball Daniel Bena is a softball, basketball,bowling and volleyball athlete. Hesaid SOTX has taught him how to be

a team player and how to travel independently. Benahas competed in various local and state competitions,and is excited about representing the U.S. at World

Games.When hes not competing, B ena enjoys playingsports, going to basketball and baseball games, andwrestling.

KIMBERLY BORMASTER24 years old BellaireVolleyball Kim Bormaster is a tennis andvolleyball athlete now in her 11thyear as a SOTX competitor. Her

many accomplishments include attending b oth NationalGames competitions and being named Greater HoustonAreas Athlete of the Year. She has even served asmistress of ceremonies for a state Games.

Being a part of the movement has givenBormaster the chance to participate in sports l ike hersiblings, and has also offered several opportunities totravel to places she never thought shed go. Whenshes not on the court, she i s a sales as sociate at RiceEpicurean Food Market.

HEATHER BOYER23 years old HoustonGolf Heather Boyer is a volleyball, golf,bowling and athletics (track and field)athlete. She joined the movement

13 years ago and competed in volleyball at the 2006National Games in Iowa. She cant wait to visit Greece,meet athletes and coaches from other countries, andlearn about the Greek culture and language.

Boyer is also a star student. Her high school

recognized her for highest class average in both Spanishand French. She was also honored as Most Congenialat Houston Community College. When shes notcompeting, Heather likes to travel and fish.

AMANDA BROOKSHIRE35 years old MelissaGymnasticsMandy Brookshire joined themovement 27 years ago, and todaycompetes in gymnastics, aquatics,

bowling and basketball. She is excited about competingin her s econd World Summer Games, which she says has

helped her follow her dreams of traveling. Brookshirelooks forward to seeing Greece and experiencing a newculture.

Brookshire was named the 2007 Plano Athleteof the Year and the 2006 National All-Around SilverGymnast. Shes also a recipient of the 25 Year ServiceAward for camping in her community. Her hobbiesare playing with her dogs, listening to music andbabysitting.

CURTIS BROWN II 19 years old

DallasSailing Curtis Brown is honored to representthe United States at his first WorldGames. The Greater Dallas Area

athlete joined SOTX four years ago and i s an athletics(track and field) and basketbal l star.

Brown has participated in state athletics,kayaking and sailing events. Outside of competing, heenjoys playing games and watching movies.

GABRIEL CANTU31 years old BaytownVolleyball Gabe Cantu is no stranger tocompeting in World Games. Hesnow preparing for his third time as

a World Games competitor! The volleyball and soccerathlete joined SOTX more than 20 years ago and stil lgets excited about competing, traveling to di fferentplaces and meeting new people. Cantu has won morethan 100 medals at SOTX competitions, and in 2008, he

won the MVP award in soccer.In his spare time, he likes to buy shoes

course, play sports.

KEVIN COLLINS25 years old

ArlingtonBocceKevin Collins is a two-time WoGames competitor. The volleybasketball and bocce athlete be

a SOTX competitor 25 years ago, and ha s develquite a medal and ribbon collection since then.

forward to going for the gold in Greece and visit

many historic places about which he has read.Collins hobbies are collecting angels, and rocks. He also likes going to garage sales,to music and dancing.

JARED CROWLEY22 years old San AntonioSoftball Jared Crowley stays busy withbasketball, bowling, softball,volleyball and athletics (track a

field). The 11-year SOTX athlete looks forwardsharing his first World Games experience with hteammates. Crowleys skills arent limited to sgot the chance to play the part of Robin Hood inabout the animated character, Shrek.

When hes not participating in SOTX evCrowley enjoys playing basketball, softball and

REED FATHEREE 24 years old San AntonioSoftball Reed Fatheree is a so ftball, basand volleyball athlete. He joinmovement 12 years ago and is

about representing Team USA at his first WorldA star athlete and student, Fatheree earned ReagHigh Schools Principal Award for Most SchoolHe also served as Team Manager for R.H.S. varbaseball team.

Fatheree is a Facility Operations Team Mat Lifetime Fitness Center in San Antonio. In htime, he enjoys playing video games.


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KENNETH FRIEDRICH 67 years old

DossGolf - Unified Partner Kenneth Friedrich only startedparticipating as a Uni fied Partnerwith SOTX a year ago, but the

organization has already changed his life. Friedrich saidits because o f SOTX athletes that he has a differentoutlook on what life is really about.

This Games marks Friedrichs first WorldGames experience. He is excited about competingalongside his partner, Billy, and calls the opportunityan honor and a blessing. When hes not on thegreens, his hobbies are farming, hunting and dancing.

HEATHER FRIEL28 years old Spring Bowling After 17 years as a SOTX athlete,Heather Friel competes in Uni fiedbowling and Unified golf. She

hopes that her inaugural World Games will introduceher to new friends from all over the world. Shes alsoexcited about the opportunity to learn all ab out Greece.

Friel was the Greater Houston Areas 2002Female Athlete of the Year and also co-emceed the 2010Summer Games Opening Ceremonies. She serves asa Global Messenger and is a participant in the LennarLife and Work Skills Program. Friel is a customerservice associate for Kohls department store. She enjoyswalking her dog, taking pictures, doing arts and crafts,sewing pillows and talking on the phone.

MARCUS GARY 23 years old HoustonKayaking

Greece will mark the second WorldGames experience for Marcus Gary.He competes in 10 di fferent sports,

including tennis, sailing, cycling, golf, softball andvolleyball. Gary joined SOTX 10 years ago and hasenjoyed meeting so many di fferent people throughoutthe years. Competing in World Games taught him a lotabout how other people from different places live.

Gary is a courtesy clerk at Kroger grocerystore. He is also an Eagle Scout and certified scubadiver. He enjoys cycling, kayaking, reading and sports.

JNINE GRETZ24 years old Windcrest Softball JNine Gretz started playing softball14 years ago. The 25-year-oldathlete never imagined that her love

for the sport would lead her to her inaugural WorldGames competition. Gretz also participates in athletics,bowling and basketball. She has been a part of themovement for 15 years; she loves the competition, herteammates and coaches, and the opportunity to travel.

When she isnt practicing her swing, Gretzenjoys music, shopping, computer games and taking careof her dog. Of course, she is also a huge sports fan andloves her hometown team - the San Antonio Spurs!

JUSTIN HANSEN22 years old San AntonioSoftball Justin Hansen looks forward to hisinaugural World Games comp etition.The softball, volleyball and

basketball athlete joined the movement 10 years ago andcredits SOTX with providing hi m with the chance of alifetime traveling internationally and meeting people

from different parts of the world. He also enjoys thesupport of his dad, who is a SOTX coach.

Hansen works at Jasons Deli in San Antonioand enjoys listening to music.

BILLY HARRIS28 years old

Fredericksburg Golf Billy Harris competes in athletics(track and field), bocce, bowlingand golf with SOTX. He joined

the organization 13 years ago and competed i n his firstNational Games in 2010. Harris uses every opportunityto spread the word about Special Olympics Texas andis proud to final ly reach his goal o f competing at WorldGames.

Harris was the Central Texas Areas 2008Athlete of the Year and Junior Head Starts Volunteer of the Year. He is currently a substitute custodian for theFredericksburg I.S.D., and likes maki ng beaded jewelryand playing video games in his spare time.

WAYNE HOFFMAN 22 years old San AntonioSoftball Wayne Hoffman is ready to addanother World Games medal tohis collection. In 2007, Hoffman

competed in World Games in China, where he earneda silver medal in basketball. Involved in the movement

for more than eight years, he competes in softball,basketball, aquatics, bowling and athletics. He looks

forward to meeting new people.Off the field, Hoffman works at H-E-B

grocery store. He enjoys playing basketball and videogames.

ANDERSON JONES31 years old

DallasSailing - Unified Partner Anderson Jones has been a part of Special Olympics Texas for five years,participating as a Uni fied Partner.

He enjoys sharing his sailing knowledge with athletesand helping them build self confidence. Jones says heis excited to share this amazin g experience with theathletes and take in everything that World Games hasto offer.

When he isnt out on the water, Jones worksat Tenet Healthcare. He was awarded the 2008 NormWatkins Award from Corinthian Sailing Club forsportsmanship and the 2009 Sportsmanship Award

from Southeast College Group. He was a high schooland collegiate football player. Jones likes to unwind bysailing, camping and hiking.

JOHN LAKEY37 years old Houston

Volleyball John Lakey loves to serve up thecompetition on the volleyballcourt. The Houston area athlete

also competes in softball and basketball. Lakey saysparticipating in SOTX has improved his attitude, andgiven him the opportunity to see different parts of theworld and meet new people.

Lakey enjoys relaxing by playing volleyball.He is proud of b eing named Athlete of the Year whenhe was in school.

LISA LEPLEY34 years old HoustonVolleyball When Lisa Lepley competes atWorld Games, it will b e on thevolleyball court. An athlete fo

years, she also competes in aquatics, basketbaland softball. Lepley enjoys competing becausemeets new people and travels to new places. Ither first worldly experience; she participated in at the 1999 World Games. In 2008, she was namFemale Athlete of the Year for the Greater Housand state.

Off the court, Lepley works as a courtesclerk at Randalls grocery store. She enjoys relalistening to music and dancing.

BOBBY LORD30 years old Webster Kayaking Bobby Lord is ready to p addlehis way to a gold medal at WorlGames . A SOTX athlete for m

than 20 years, he is excited to compete in kayakIn 2006, Lord competed in powerlifting at NatiGames, where he deadlifted 606 lbs. At the 20World Games in China, he earned two gold meda silver medal in powerlifting. Lord says SOTXhelped him make friends, see the world and leasports.

When he isnt on the water, Lord worksMagnolia Creek Golf Links doing cart maintenattends several aerobics classes a week and partin ball room dancing competitions, where he ha

first place ribbons for smooth and Latin dancing

ERIC MARTINEZ 18 years old San AntonioSoftball Eric Martinez cant wait to stepto bat during the softball compat World Games. He says SOT

given him the opportunity to socialize and be aof a team. He looks forward to giving his all atGames and hopes to win a medal.

Off the field, Martinez enjoys playing sand video games, and learning how to drive a c


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AMANDA MICKAN23 years old Richmond Cycling Amanda Mickan is ready to pedalthrough the streets of Athens inthe cycling competition. She also

participates in aquatics, golf, basketball, softball,tennis and volleyball. Mickan competed at the 2007World Games, earning a silver medal and fourth placein tennis. She is involved in the Athlete LeadershipProgram and hopes to become a Global Messenger oneday.

When she isnt busy with SOTX, Mickan isattending classes at Houston Community College. Sheserved as the 2010 Eagles Club president, was namedVolunteer of the Year for CAP and held the position of secretary for the area Athlete Leadership Program.

WESLEY MURPHY 22 years old

Friendswood Volleyball Wesley Murphy loves volleybal l. Healso participates in golf and tennis.He says he enjoys being on a te am

and meeting new people.In addition to participating i n SOTX, Murphy

works in customer relations at Murphy Brothers PaintCompany. He enjoys playing golf and swimming inhis spare time. Murphy is a graduate of the BriarwoodSchool, where he was the president of his StudentCouncil.

ASHLEY MUTH 23 years old San AntonioSoftball Ashley Muth looks forward to

stepping onto the softball field atWorld Games. She also participatesin basketball and volleyball. Muth was named the SanAntonio area Female Athlete of the Year in 2007 andbecame a Global Messenger in 2006. Among her manyaccomplishments, she competed in the 2007 WorldGames in China, earning a silver medal with her team inbasketball.

Outside of SOTX, Muth stays busy working asa food server at McAlisters Deli. She enjoys listeningto music and going to the movies.

VANESSA PARRA 24 years old San AntonioSoftball Vanessa Parra loves being part o f ateam. The San Antonio area athletecant wait to compete in softball at

World Games. Parra also participates in basketball,bowling, volleyball, aquatics and athletics. She sayscompeting has increased her self-esteem and has givenher a chance to travel. An athlete for 12 years, she wasnamed Athlete of Year in 2008.

Parra stays busy off the field, too. Shegraduated from San Antonio College and received acertificate as a child development associate. She isCPR and first aid certified. Parra enjoys playing on herGame Boy, coloring, watching TV and playing sp orts.

BRYAN PEREZ26 years old San AntonioSoftball Bryan Perez looks forward tocompeting on a global stage at WorldGames. He will compete in softball,

which is an experience he calls a dream come true!Perez credits SOTX for helping him success fully get outof his wheelchair and move from walking to running.He is proud of h aving been name d Athlete of the Yearin 2006.

Off the field, Perez enjoys playing video games,watching sports and listening to music. He is excited tomeet new people and travel to Greece.

CODY PORTER23 years old San AntonioSoftball Cody Porter is excited to travel

across the globe to compete in WorldGames. Though he will competein softball, Porter also participates in bowling andbasketball. He had been involved in the movement for14 years and says involvement has taught him how to bepart of a team.

Away from SOTX, Porter enjoys dancing andreading. He graduated high school as an honor rollstudent.

KATHERINE RICHARDS 21 years old HoustonVolleyball Katherine Richards is excited tocompete in volleyball in Greece. ASOTX athlete for 8 years, she a lso

participates in golf and tennis. Richards was namedthe Greater Houston area Athlete of the Year in 2008,Female Athlete of the Year for the state in 2009and is involved in the Athlete Leadership Program,volunteering more than 300 hours of community servicea year. In 2010, she traveled to Italy to compete intennis and to Nebraska for the National Games.

Off the court, Richards works at CoreConcepts, a wellness studio. She is a student at LoneStar Community College and plays on the schoolstennis team. She enjoys traveling, going to the theaterand doing puzzles.

CHRISTIAN SUMMERS17 years old San AntonioSoftball Christian Summers cant wait tocombine the two things he loves sports and traveling. He is excited to

go to Greece and compete against teams from aroundthe world. Summers says his involvement with SpecialOlympics Texas helps hi m focus and learn new sportsskills.

When hes not on the softball field, Summersenjoys listening to music.

KATHY THOMPSON38 years old The WoodlandsBocceKathy Thompson loves to get

involved in every aspect of theSOTX movement . An athlete for 8years, she competes in bocce, bowling and cycling. Inaddition to participating in sports, Thompson lendsher voice to spread the word about SOTX; she is aGlobal Messenger and a member of the SOTX SpeakersBureau. Thompson says her involvement has helped herto meet pe ople and make a difference for other athletes.

Thompson stays busy by working as an usher atCinemark Theater. She enjoys reading and doing crafts.

PATRICIA THREATT 29 years old HoustonVolleyball Patricia Threatt is ready to brinthe heat to the volleyball courtathlete for 17 years, she al so co

in tennis and golf. Among her many accompliThreatt is proud to have been selected as volleyteam captain for four years. She says that she hlearned to be more independent and meet new pthrough SOTX.

When shes not working on her serve, Tenjoys reading, playing volleyball with friends,her bike and playing on the computer. She atteHouston Community College.

FRANK TUCKER22 years old HoustonVolleyball Frank Tucker is going for gold.Excited to be a part of the WorldGames experience, he looks fo

to competing in volleyball. Tucker, who has beathlete for 15 years, also comp etes in basketbalsoccer. He loves enjoying sports of all kinds anmeeting new people.

Off the field, Tucker works at the BrookwCommunity. He is a proud high school graduatBriarwood School, where he served as Student president. His hobbies include playing video gbowling and hooping it up on the basketball co

LINDSEY WESNESKI21 years old HoustonVolleyball Lindsey Wesneski serves up th

competition every time she stethe court. The volleyball athleparticipates in tennis and golf. In 2006, she coin volleyball at the inaugural National Games iIowa. Wesneski says her 8 years of i nvolvemenSOTX has helped her meet new people and comthe sports she loves.

Off the court, Wesneski enjoys going toStarbucks, playing on Facebook, talking on the and playing sports. Among her accomplishmenproud to know how to drive a car and have a j ob


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A self-employed tennis pro, Mendoza is also theco-owner of womens tennis apparel brand, K-Claw.Her hobbies include surfing and traveling the world.

KEN PORTER

San AntonioSoftball Coach

Ken Porter cant wait to seeSOTX athletes shine at World

Games. Porter has been a SOTX coach for five yearsand enjoys watching the athletes grow. Known for hispositive attitude, he encourages his athletes to display

good sportsmanship and have fun.TERESA SULLIVAN


Teresa Sull ivan wears ma ny hats for Specia l Olympics. Involved for

15 years, she has served as a Head of Delegation andcoached bowling, basketball, athletics and softball.Sullivan says she thinks of the athletes as her family andenjoys seeing them train and compete.

JACK YOES

HoustonSailing Coach

Jack Yoes has been involvedwith SOTX for 22 years; he

is a coach, Unified Partner, and proud parentof an athlete. Yoes loves sailing, and i s excitedto be a part of coaching athletes to compete inhis favorite sport at World Games. I love thecompetitive feel at high level competitions and the joy from the athletes who participate, he says.This event is a great one and I am excited aboutbeing involved.

When Yoes isnt participating in SOTX events, heworks as the Regional Service Manager for UOP.In his free time, he spends as much time as he cansailing and golfing.

SUSAN DONALDSON

HoustonVolleyball Coach

Susan Donaldson started hercoaching career with SOTX 10 years

ago, and is certified in tennis, softball, golf, soccerand Unified Sports. Shes thrilled about her inauguralWorld Games experience.

Coach Donaldson believes that no matter what onesdisability is, everyone can and shou ld participate insports because inclusion can change lives. She hasmore than 20 years of exp erience working with menand women with intellectual disabilities. Donaldsonis currently employed with Special Kids Care HomeHealth in Houston.

TERRY HANSEN


Terry Hans en loves to see SOTXathletes achieve their goals. The

proud father of a SOTX athlete, Hansen coachesbasketball and softball. He instills patience and positiveattitudes in the athletes he coaches, while encouragingeveryone to have fun.

ALAN HIRSHMAN

HoustonGolf Coach

Alan Hirshman has been a part of theSpecial Olympics Texas family for 16

years and is a certified coach and trainer. The proud

parent of a SOTX athlete, he got i nvolved to serve ashis sons Unified Partner and coach in golf and bocce,and to help athletes improve themselves and succeed. Ilove to teach the athletes to be the best they can and tohave fun doing it, explains Hirshman. He is excitedabout attending World Games to coach the athletes,make new friends, enjoy that level of experience andwitness the gratification athletes get competing for theircountries.

Hirshman has worked for Dannenbaum EngineeringCorp. as a Senior Project Manager for 32 years. Heenjoys playing golf and racquetball, watching all sports,reading and traveling with family.

JUSTIN HOFSTETTER


Justin Hofstetter started coachingSOTX athletes ei ght years ago, a fter

getting involved with the movement by performingcommunity service. Over the years, his love for the

athletes grew, and today, his goal is to teach themeverything he can to ensure their success. Hofstetter isexcited about coaching at his first World Games.

TAYLOR LEPLEY

HoustonVolleyball Coach

Taylor Lepley is excited to takepart in his first World Games as a

coach. Lepley has been involved in the movement formore than 15 years and is the proud parent of a SOTXathlete. He coaches softball and basketball.

When he isnt leadi ng a practice session, Lepley worksas a petroleum industry consultant. He enjoys skeet andsporting clays shooting, gardening, and country andswing dancing.

SHIRLEY MENDOZA

HoustonTennis Coach

Coach Shirley Mendoza loves thesport of tenni s, and looks forwardto World Games to be a pa rt of something larger thanherself and to do something positive in the world. Shehas been involved with Special Olympics Texas for threeyears, and says her involvement keeps her humble andgrounded. Mendoza points out, I love what this sporthas done for me and I believe it is my responsibility togive back to the sport through my passion o f adaptivetennis.


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SERGEANT LANCE KOPPAHighland Park Department of Public SafetySpecial Olympics Texas is proudto be represented in the Final Legby Sergeant Lance Koppa of theHighland Park Department of Public

Safety. He was selected by law enforcement officialsstatewide to represent Texas and the United Statesin the Final Leg run. Speaking about being selected

for the Final Leg team, Koppa said, I am at a loss forwords to describe my excitement to participate in such ahuge event as the World Games! This is, by leaps andbounds, the greatest honor that I have ever received.Period.

Sergeant Koppa joined the Highland Park Departmentof Public Safety 11 years ago, and has been a memberof the Special Olympics Texas and Law EnforcementTorch Run famil ies for eight years. He was namedSpecial Olympics Texas Greater D allas A reas2009 Community Leader of theYear and theHighland ParkDepartment of Public Sa fetys2004 Officerof the Year.When he isntdedicatinghis time tosupportingSOTX,he enjoysparticipatingin triathlons,long distancecycling andtrying his bestto keep a niceyard.

FINAL LEG RUNAs an important part of theWorld Ga mes, the TorchRun Final Le g will hei ghtenawareness and take the message of Special Olympicsand the World Games to every corner of Greece, a swell as to Cyprus and Istanbul. Law enforcementofficials and Special Olympics athletes, uni fied togetheras a part of the Final Leg team, will serve as trueGuardians of the Flame and promote the powerfulmessages of i nclusion, acceptance, and ability everystep of the three-week journey to promote the WorldGames.

The 2011 Final Leg will begin with the Lighting of the Flame at the Sacred Site of Pnyx, opposite theAcropolis of Athens, in Greece on June 9. In keepingwith the tradition, the rays of the sun l ight the Flameand the entire ceremony will take place along the linesof the origi nal Torch Lighting of the Olympics Games.On June 10, Torch Runners spli t into three te ams andthe journey of the Flame begins. It will cover scoresof cities, towns, and communities on the way to theOpening Ceremonies in Athens on June 25.

FINAL LEG MISSIONCreate awareness and excitement for SpecialOlympics and the World Summer Ga mesEncourage support and attendance of the WorldSummer GamesServe as Guardians of the Flame by maintaining andprotecting the Flame of Hope until the lighting of the cauldron at the World Summer Games Openi ngCeremoniesShowcase the abilities and involvement of theSpecial Olympics athletes who serve on the uni fiedFinal Leg team as well as highlight local athletes atceremonies

Proudly represent Law Enforcement and Torch Runprograms from around the world as a symbol of their deep commitment to the athletes of SpecialOlympicsInvolve, inspire and motivate Law En forcementTorch Run and Specia l Olympics athle teparticipants to increase their level of commitmentto Special Olympics when they return to their homeprograms

Please read through the following language guidelinesand refer to them when speaking or writing aboutSpecial Olympics Texas and our athletes. Thank you

for your cooperation and attention to appropriateterminology; your efforts help us properly educate thepublic.

APPROPRIATE TERMINOLOGYA person has intellectual disabilities, rather thanis mentally retarded; is suffering from, is afflictedwith, or is a victim of mental retardation orintellectual disabilities.Distinguish between adults and children withintellectual disabilities. Use adults or children orolder or younger athletes.Refer to participants in Special Olympics asathletes. In no case should the word appear inquotation marks. Do not refer to athletes as SpecialOlympians or Special Olympic athletes; the correctreference is Special Olympics athletes.Use the words Special Olympics Texas whenreferring to the organization . Do NOT use TexasSpecial Olympics or Spe cial Olympics of Texas;both are incorrect usages.

TERMINOLOGY TO AVOIDDo not use the label kids when referring toSpecial Olympics athletes. Adult athletes are anintegral part of the program.Do not use the word the in front of SpecialOlympics unless describing a specific SpecialOlympics event or official. Saying the SpecialOlympics implies that Special Olympics is a oncea year event when, in fact, it is a year-roundmovement.Do not refer to Special Olympics Texas as TexasSpecial Olympics or Spe cial Olympics of Texas.The correct reference is Special Olympics Texas.

Do not use the word special when talking people with intellectual disabilities. The terdistancing and inappropriate and describes twhich is different about any person.Do not sensationalize the accomplishments with disabilities. While their accomplishmeshould be recognized and applauded, peopledisability rights movement have tried to makpublic aware of the negative imp act of referrthe achievements of physically or mentally cpeople with excessive hyperbole.


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