Student athletes see success

We have in the Blue Springs community today many successful student-athlete(s) the general public is probably not aware of.

 They are participants in the Blue Springs Special Olympics program.

The Blue Springs Special Olympics flag football team “medaled” in a Special Olympics Missouri sponsored tournament held recently at The Sports Lodge and has been invited to participate in the SOMO State In Door Games Championships to be held in Joplin Missouri from 20-22 November 2009.

Also Special Olympics Missouri has now announced the selection of individuals and teams who will form the Team Missouri contingent for the Special Olympics National Games to be held this summer (July 18-23, 2010) at Lincoln, Neb.  

The Blue Springs Special Olympics flag football team earned the privilege and was selected to be a part of Team Missouri at the National Games, one of only eight flag football teams’ nationwide to qualify!! 

Another significant accomplishment for Special Olympics in Blue Springs--I hope you agree. Please consider a visit to the athlete’s Special Olympics Missouri sponsored website and leave an encouraging note of support or possibly a financial contribution to help the athlete pay the way to the National Games in Lincoln, Nebraska this summer. 

The athletes and sites are:



TEAM MISSOURI:

Flag Football (Special Olympics--Blue Springs Missouri)

n James Greenwood    http://www.somo.org/jamesgreenwood

n Rafael Rulon   http://www.somo.org/rafaelrulon

n Bernard Hill http://www.somo.org/Page.aspx?pid=461&frsid=225

n Robert Mills Jr   http://www.somo.org/robertmillsjr

n Bryan Snow   http://www.somo.org/bryansnow

n Andrew Shaffer   http://www.somo.org/andrewshaffer

n Joe Sewell   http://www.somo.org/joesewell

n Brent Roberts http://www.somo.org/brentroberts



As the parent of a Special Olympics athlete (who is not a flag football player), I am excited about the growth and development I see in my own child and other student-athletes in the way of positive development as a result of participation in the SO program. Like all things “Blue Springs” both the SO program and the achievement of our SO athletes are in keeping with the best and strongest sports and academic traditions of Blue Springs.

The SO program is a natural extension of the quality education offered across Blue Springs and provides a sports experience for student-athletes similar to what other students enjoy.  Participation in the Special Olympics program contributes directly to a student-athlete’s improvement in physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, self-esteem, and aids decision-making skills. 

The Blue Springs Special Olympics program fosters a love of sports, competition and provides an important opportunity for appropriate socialization.

The Blue Springs Special Olympics program is a robust, broad-based program involving several sports offerings for student athletes from elementary to high school.  Ours is a consolidated district-wide program bringing Wildcats and Jaguars together as Team Blue Springs!  The Blue Springs SO sports teams practice and compete in the sports of bowling, flag football, basketball, swimming, bocce, and track and field.  The SO sports season runs from September through May time frame.  With sometimes limited sporting opportunities in recreation leagues or club leagues, these Blue Springs Special Olympics teams offer an organized, sporting team for students with special needs that is not otherwise easily available.  The local Special Olympics program operates through the combined efforts and energy of dedicated teachers, faculty volunteers, community supporters and booster parents.

So what’s the purpose of this article? I’m trying to share and build awareness about a high-quality, high-impact and effective sporting program in the Blue Springs area that most people know very little about--Blue Springs Special Olympics. 

I offer you a special challenge, when you have time and opportunity, seek out, find and congratulate a local Special Olympics student-athlete!!  Watch how these hard working athletes respond to your interest in their interests.  Find the time to attend a local Special Olympics sporting activity.