January Athlete of the Month: Marquita Denerson – Macon-Bibb Special Olympics
Marquita Denerson was born, raised and currently resides in Macon, Georgia. Marquita began her participation in Special Olympics in 1993 at the age of 18. She has been a member of Macon-Bibb Special Olympics for 28 years participating in sports such as bowling, bocce, basketball skills, table tennis, tennis, and softball. Some of Marquita hobbies include going to church where she is a member of the Missionary Society and reading. She enjoys watching old sitcoms on television and cartoons where her favorite character is Spongebob Squarepants.
January Volunteer of the Month: Carolyn Goolsby Williams – Jones County
Carolyn Goolsby Williams is a resident of Gray, Georgia. She graduated from Maggie Califf High School in 1966. Mrs. Williams was a dedicated employee for 25 years for the Jones County Board of Education until her retirement in 2013. She has been married to Charlie R. Williams for 47 years and is a mother of five, grandmother to 11, and a great grandmother to one. She has two siblings, one brother, and one sister. Mrs. Williams has proudly served as our Special Olympics Treasurer since 2013 but has been a part of the program as a chaperone, certified coach, and huge supporter since 1984 when her son, Rondel, joined the program.
February Athlete of the Month: Jakob Culver – AngelFish GA Adaptive Aquatics
Jakob Culver is an AngelFishGA swimmer who has excelled in swimming over the past 3 years. Learning how to navigate life with multiple challenges including ASD and SPD, swimming has become for Jakob THE way in which he can self-regulate, become calm and achieve focus. Jakob has improved so much that he has been offered a scholarship to join Advanced Technical Aquatics (ATAQ), a USA Swim Club, where he will continue on his journey of swimming excellence and compete alongside typical swimmers in practice and competition. He will of course join AFGA at the next SOGA Summer Games! Caroline, Jakob’s mother, credits swimming for helping Jakob achieve his current life balance and as she has watched his journey, has begun her own training to become an AFGA Adaptive Swim Instructor. Caroline and Jakob will often swim for 3-4 hours every weekend for the joy and benefit of it! Watch out Michael Phelps – Jakob is coming for you!
February Volunteer of the Month: Angela Kay – Hart County
Mrs. Angela Kay is a very dedicated volunteer. Even though we have been unable to provide practices and games for our athletes, she has been an advocate for finding ways to keep the athletes active. She helped to create a list of sports games and activities that could be played in the classrooms, and at home. Angela is just an all-around amazing person who has a love for special needs children and adults!
March Athlete of the Month: Vincent Blakely Jr. – Columbus County Parks and Recreation
Vincent Blakely Jr. is an athlete that gives his all on and off the field/court. Vincent competes in several Special Olympics events for Columbus Parks and Recreation, such as Track and Field, Swimming, Bowling, Bocce, Cycling and Basketball. Since the pandemic forced us to close our doors, for the time being, Vincent is still engaged in physical activities. He has completed his walking assignments for class and several of the Special Olympics virtual exercise classes. Not only is Vincent an athlete, he is a great student as well. The Therapeutic Recreation program offers several virtual classes, and Vincent has excelled in them all while also making time to report for the weekly Extra Ordinary News Show. His commitment to strive for excellence is what makes Vincent
March Volunteer of the Month: Brian Fisher – Columbus Parks and Recreation
Coach Brian Fisher is the Director of Therapeutics for Columbus Parks and Recreation. He also serves as the Local Coordinator for Area 10 Special Olympics. When Coach Fisher began working for Columbus Parks and Recreation in June 2020, the center had been closed for 3 months due to the COVID virus. When the center closed in March, the staff began planning a program that would be virtual. Parents, care givers and staff were all trained to help support the athletes. Coach Fisher worked hard to plan a schedule that provided opportunities for athletes to participate in challenging activities as they met virtually 4 times each week. Athletes exercised and learned about healthy eating habits. Social and life skills were developed through budget planning and communication skill development. Socials and special events were implemented, such as dance parties and other fun activities. During challenging times, Coach Fisher and the staff have demonstrated their enthusiasm and creativity by faithfully providing a connection for the athletes and their friends.
Paige Copeland:
I am a Special Olympics athlete and have been for a very long time. I am 48 years old. I love Special Olympics and want it back so bad! I miss my friends so much. And I miss y’all so much. Hope you see you soon, love y’all so much! I have been the torch run ambassador for the State of Georgia and i loved it, also i am a Special Olympics ambassador from Henry County Parks and Recreation! We have the best parks and recreation ever! I’m so ready to get back to Special Olympics and all of my friends around the state of Georgia
Marnie Horsnby:
Before I started Special Olympics in 2006, I was wild! I hung out with the wrong crowd, I didn’t talk much, I wouldn’t look people in the eye, and just stay in my own little space. Ever since I have been in Special Olympics, I have made new friends, I talk a lot, and now people wish I would be quiet, and I look you in the eye now. I actually went to Korea for the 2013 World Games and that was awesome all by itself, but Special Olympics has changed my life in a very good way. And with all this stuff going on with the coronavirus it’s hard not to be able to practice and do sports and participate like we are used to, but that’s what Special Olympics has done for me and Special Olympics means a lot to me. They are like another whole family to me and along with Henry County Parks and Recreation who have taught me to be the person that I know I can be.
Thank you for your friendship to Special Olympics Georgia. Because of your generosity, I am able to train and compete year-round in basketball, track and field, and bocce. My involvement with Special Olympics Georgia gives me the confidence to be a global messenger and make speeches about Special Olympics. Thank you for giving me and all the other Special Olympics Georgia athletes the opportunity to focus on our abilities and succeed.
Your friend,
Rudolpha
Special Olympics Georgia Kay Center star, Patrice Lockhart, has been training for her 15th year as a competitor in the Special Olympics Southeast Powerlifting Competition held at SOGA’s State Indoor Winter Games each year. The 37 year old veteran will be competing in the bench press competition, the deadlift competition and the push/pull competition, which is a powerlifting combination.
While Patrice physically raises bars, she also is an athlete that inspires and raises the bar for her fellow Special Olympics Georgia Kay Center teammates, as well as competitors from across the state. With a positive disposition, an attention to detail and a heart full of sportsmanship and encouragement, Patrice is not only an athlete, but a leader admired by everyone who comes in contact with her.
The Fort Vally native also sets the bar high for bravery. Patrice competes in a variety of sports, pushing herself outside of her comfort zone. During her athletic career, the multi-medalist has competed in alpine skiing, athletics, bowling and table tennis. At the 2018 State Fall Games, she even competed in bocce with the Special Olympics Georgia Kay Center Unified Bocce Team, a team comprised of both Special Olympics Georgia athletes and athletes without intellectual disabilities. Together, the team took home the fifth place ribbon.
Maria Johnson wears a lot of hats as a teammate of Special Olympics Georgia. Not only is she a veteran swimmer, she also is a Global Messenger speaker and an athlete intern at the Special Olympics Georgia Atlanta office. Maria is also a teammate on the Special Olympics Georgia JCC Atlanta Bocce Team, competing at Fall Games in Unified Bocce. Maria has been competing with Special Olympics Georgia for over 30 years, winning more medals (mostly gold) and ribbons than one person could count. When Maria isn’t training for swimming, bocce or bowling (her favorite sports) she can be seen advocating for Special Olympics Georgia around Atlanta, selling Ducks for Duck Pluck and thanking supporters for bringing out the champion in her and her teammates across the state.
“Special Olympics is one of my favorite places to be,” says Maria. “My favorite thing to do, besides competing is spending time with the staff and volunteers. They make my day a little brighter.”
Michael Mastrangelo is ready to lead the Special Olympics Georgia Cobb County softball team to bring home the gold! With his enthusiasm, sportsmanship and passion for competition, Michael is easy to spot on the field as not only an athlete, but a leader. Michael has been competing with Special Olympics Georgia for over 10 years. This summer, Michael competed with the Cobb County’s Unified soccer team and even partnered with Atlanta United as they played against Chicago and in the MLS All-Stars. When he isn’t training to be an MVP athlete, Michael works at Publix, a sponsor and good friend of Special Olympics organizations all over the US.
“I love Special Olympics,” excitedly exclaims Michael any time you talk to him. “I like being with my friends and competing, but most of all I like winning! I love getting gold medals!”
24 year old Shaquille (Shaq) Pinson is the ultimate competitor. Shaq is easy to find on the field or at the bowling alley as he is always the one yelling encouraging words. “Come on! You’ve got this,” you would hear him say, or “Good shot!” You can also hear Shaq pumping himself up, giving himself a pep talk with mantras such as “I got this!” or “They can’t score on me.” Shaq is a true athlete.
Starting with Special Olympics Georgia in 2012, the Cobb County native competed at his first state games at Fall Games in softball. He continues to compete in softball, but has added a couple more sports to his resume. Some of those other sports include basketball at the State Indoor Winter Games and soccer at the State Summer Games. It wasn’t until 2016 Shaq added a fourth sport to his athletic arsenal: bowling. Since 2016, Shaq has been a force to be reckoned with in Warner Robins and is looking forward to bringing his competitive edge back down to South Georgia this year. “I’m going to bring the gold back,” he has proclaimed. Good luck, Shaq!
Special Olympics Georgia Gwinnett Masters Special Teams will be very well represented at the 2018 State Masters Bowling Tournament. With 57 athletes, coaches and Unified Partners, two will be attending not only as a coach and an athlete, but as a family.
Shelby Snelgrove and Suzzanne Snelgrove are looking forward to the 2018 Masters Bowling Tournament. Not only does this give Shelby a chance to compete alongside friends and teammates, but it allows her and Suzzanne time together outside of Dacula, where the family resides.
Shelby started competing at State Games as a Special Olympics Georgia athlete in 2012 at the State Summer Games. Competing in swimming, she also added the State Indoor Winter Games to her resume competing in bowling. It wasn’t until 2016, when the now 24 year old was eligible to take her bowling talents down to Warner Robins, that she was able to train for Masters Bowling. Shelby has also competed in bocce at the State Fall Games.
This will be the first year for the family to be alongside each other at the tournament. The Snelgroves are excited to represent Special Olympics Georgia Gwinnett Masters Special Teams and try to bring the gold back to North Georgia.
Many Special Olympics Georgia athletes have the support of not only their team and fellow athletes, but the support of their families and friends as well. This support can be in the form of fans cheering from the sideline, coaching athletes in certain sports on the field or at home, or in Kendall Butler’s case, being a Unified Partner and competing right on the field beside them. Kendall, a 16 year old from Cobb County, has been part of Special Olympics Georgia since 2010 where she first competed at the State Indoor Winter Games in bowling and the State Summer Games in track and field (her areas of expertise are the 50 meter dash and the softball throw). Five years later, the Butler family had two athletes part of Special Olympics Georgia as their son, Julian, joined as a Unified Partner in soccer and convincing his sister to trade in her track shoes for soccer cleats. “Julian is so supportive of Kendall and works with her, practices with her and trains with her at home,” commented Kendall and Julian’s mother.
Though they practiced together at home, when competition came around Kendall and Julian were not on the same team. Kendall played traditional soccer with Special Olympics Georgia Cobb County, while Julian played on the Special Olympics Georgia Cobb County Unified Team. For 2 years the siblings practiced together, but competed separately. This year, a different scene will be set on Kaminsky Field. “Kendall and Julian get to play and compete together for the first time,” exclaimed their parents. “We are so proud of both of them, and we cannot wait to watch them together at Summer Games. They both are such a great influence on each other!”
During Matthew Wynne’s time as a Special Olympics Georgia athlete, he has competed and excelled in a myriad of sports including swimming, basketball, golf, softball and soccer. Golf is his most decorated sport, with Matthew bringing home gold medal after gold medal, year after year. “When I stand on that podium, I feel like a winner,” commented Matthew when asked about his medals.
But sports aren’t the only things he excels at. Matthew joined the Special Olympics Georgia Global Messengers program, a program for athletes that are passionate about their experience in Special Olympics Georgia. Through this program, Matthew shares his story of being a Special Olympics Georgia athlete and the accomplishments he has attained. Through sharing his story, he was able to build on his self-confidence and crucial lifelong skills such as public speaking. Matthew also graduated high school from Cambridge High School in 2016 and currently is attending college at Gwinnett Technical College to attain one of his new goals: to be a Veterinarian Tech and work with animals.
These days you will be able to spot Matthew either at The Coca-Cola Company’s corporate office in Atlanta or alongside the Special Olympics Georgia Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) group. Matthew has been chosen as the 2018 LETR Athlete Ambassador, helping the Law Enforcement volunteers at fundraising events and lighting the cauldron at each State Games. At The Coca-Cola Company, Matthew was recently hired to the Coca-Cola Special Olympics team as the Special Olympics Georgia Statewide Platinum Partner prepares for the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle, Washington.Matthew will assist Coca-Cola’s team with fresh ideas and provide a new perspective for planning and involvement for the Special Olympics USA Games. He will even travel and lead the team at the Games at the end of June.
Matthew currently lives with his family: his mother, his father and his two sisters. His family has always been strong supporters of Special Olympics, dating back to his father’s days of volunteering for Special Olympics at Villanova University. Today, the entire family still volunteers with the organization and can be found as Matthew’s loudest fans in the stands.
Competing in Special Olympics Georgia since he was 8 years old, 39 year old Lewis Gordon is excited and ready for the 2018 State Indoor Winter Games. “I’ll be playing floor hockey,” explained Lewis to SOGA staff and Indoor Winter Games GOC members earlier in the season.
Floor hockey is just one of many sports Lewis has competed in over his 31 year career. This SOGA veteran has also competed in softball, bowling, bad minton, bocce, volleyball, basketball and flag football.
Lewis also helps out with Special Olympics Georgia outside of being an athlete. During the week, Lewis volunteers his time and help as an athlete intern at the SOGA State Office in Valdosta. There he helps organize items to prepare for competitions, helps with administrative tasks, and go out with staff members to raise awareness for Special Olympics Georgia.
Lewis has grown in every facet as a person through Special Olympics Georgia: he finds it easier to meet people, is able to accomplish any goal he sets, and spreads a hardworking, positive attitude to anyone he meets.
Lewis will be joined by his teammates from Special Olympics Georgia Valdosta Parks and Recreation at the State Indoor Winter Games January 12 – 14.
Infectious Personality Travels to SOGA State Indoor Winter Games
Described by everyone he meets as “remarkable,” 21 year old Will Crain has been competing as an athlete with Special Olympics Georgia for over 10 years. Throughout his time as an athlete, the Hall County native has competed in alpine skiing, bowling, kayaking, soccer, bocce, and one of his favorite sports, basketball. In fact, Will will be competing at the 2018 SOGA State Indoor Winter Games in basketball with his teammates from Special Olympics Georgia Hall County Parks and Recreation.
Starting his career as a Special Olympics Georgia athlete in 2006, Will not only overcame obstacles of confidence, but also health obstacles. That same year, he had a liver transplant, only slowing him down for a brief period of time.
At this year’s Winter Games, you will be able to easily spot Will. He will be the SOGA Hall County Parks and Recreation basketball player with an infectious personality, a strong attitude of determination, and a smile as big as his heart.
4 Year Equestrian Veteran Returns to Gainesville for 5th Horse Show
She puts her foot through the stirrup on the saddle and raises herself onto her horse. Up here, she knows no fear, no exclusion, no disability. She just knows competition, keeping her eye on the prize and her trust in herself and her horse.
Forsyth County athlete Maranda Way has the experience described about once a year as a competitor at the Special Olympics Georgia Horse Show. A Horse Show competitor for the past 4 years, Maranda is a veteran at this competition, and her experience shows through the medals won and the strong confidence and care Maranda displays with her horse. In the past, she has competed in the English equitation and showmanship events, but decided to focus on three different events: dressage, Unified drill team and working trails. “I am so excited for the Horse Show,” exclaimed Maranda. “It is so great to be able to go to Gainesville and see all of my friends and the other athletes.”
Horse Show is not the only competition that Maranda travels to be part of. Maranda also goes to Cobb County to compete in bowling and powerlifting for the Indoor Winter Games and Emory University to compete in swimming at the Summer Games. This year, she even traveled to Warner Robins to participate in her first Masters Bowling Tournament.
Good luck, Maranda!
North Atlanta Native Ready to Bring Home the Gold at State Horse Show
You can usually spot her with a tennis racket in her hand. You may have even seen her this past May, taking over the tennis courts at Emory University with the rest of her Special Pops tennis teammates. This October, however, Allison Watry will be competing, but in an arena different than the tennis courts.
Allison will be one of the hundreds of athletes competing at this year’s Horse Show in Gainesville, but is not new to this State Games. Like many others, Allison has returned year after year to compete in events such as English equitation, showmanship and working trails. In fact, Allison has been representing Special Olympics Georgia North Atlanta Equestrian team since 2008.
“This year, I am also competing in drill team,” explained Allison when asked about her events. “I’ve competed in it before and have really liked it, so I’m continuing in that event.”
The SOGA 2017 State Horse Show will take place on October 13 – 15 at Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center in Gainesville, Georgia.
