Friday, March 23rd and Saturday, March 24th provided a terrific time with the Special Olympic athletes who competed in Rockford to determine the Basketball Championship Finals!
It was back in 2008 when I began a blessed relationship with the Michigan Special Olympics and now four years later there is something so wonderfully incredible about these athletes that still has me involved!!
On Friday afternoon I made the drive over to Grand Rapids where I stayed at the Hampton Inn (as guests of the Special Olympics - thank you!) and roomed with two other titleholders Alexa Allor and Morgan Lind! After setttling in we put on our cocktail dresses for the fun night ahead of us! From the hotel the three of us drove to Rockford High School together to start an amazing weekend! Two other titleholders joined us at the school: Emily Kieliszewski and Sarah Suydum! The five of us were seated at a long table to sign autograph cards as the athletes came by to say hello and take photographs with us! One of my most favorite things to do as a titleholder!
We began with the Opening Ceremonies which are always loud and fun as the athletes make their entrance according to the area they are from! Once the athletes were seated the ceremony began with a welcome to the athletes and the National Anthem was sung. This year Morgan Lind was the guest vocalist and she did a fabulous job! At the conclusion of the ceremonies the dancing began and we all started to get out groove on! Everyone kicked up their heels and let their hair down! After the dance and after burning off all those calories we girls decided to go out to dinner which gave us an opportunity to get to know one another better! Then it was off to the hotel to grab some zzzz's!
Saturday morning we met with the athletes for brunch and then we signed autographs as the athletes played basketball in the Final Championship games! I am always amazed at the attitudes of the players. They really do cheer one another on even if they are on opposing teams! We could all take a lesson from them! And they sure can play the game!
At the conclusion of the games we titleholders had the most fun putting the medals around the necks of these very proud athletes! They have worked so hard and deserve the recognition for their efforts! To see the joy on their faces is so heartwarming that you just can't help but feel so happy for them amd thankful to be able to share with them in their victory in playing in the Special Olympics!
I am always amazed at how many Coaches and volunteers come out to help at these events and give of their love and time for these athletes so that they can have a positive experience! Thank you to one and all!
I can't wait to return to the Summer Olympics games which will be held at Central Michigan University, in Mt. Pleasant on May31-June 2nd! See you then! :)
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