Happy Monday

“True champions aren’t always the ones that win, but those with the most guts.”
~Mia Hamm

Kudos from LSU

Spread the Word to End the Word, was nominated and won an Louisiana State University Love Purple Live Gold Award. LSU student and Special Olympics Louisiana volunteer Casey Cantrelle promoted Spread the Word to End the Word on its annual awareness day. Hundreds of LSU students pledged not to use the r-word! Now, as a bonus, the campaign will be awarded the 2012-2013 Live Purple Love Gold Most Outstanding Advocacy Award. This award is presented to the organization with the best program that exemplifies dedication towards the welfare of a cause, global topic, or existing social issue. The program selected for this award will have engaged students through creating awareness, providing solutions, and promoting social change. We are excited that the students of LSU agree that the r-word is not cool and must go!

Learn more about Spread the Word to End the Word here

ANYTHING is possible

Katie Seigenthaler’s son George is a Special Olympics athlete.  He competes in basketball among other sports.

In a recent blog post to Special Olympics, Katie describes what George has been through, “…diagnosed with leukemia at age 9; who was given a death sentence after he contracted pneumonia due to the cancer treatment protocol; who went on to survive three years of brutal chemotherapy only to wind up with severe osteoporosis; and who, over the course of 2 the two years following treatment, endured major reconstructive surgery on his hips and broke his legs 5 times.”

After all of that, it seems like George is doing just fine with the help of Special Olympics!  Katie goes on to say, “He’s a clutch player on all of his Special Olympics teams, recently starting as center for the SO New Trier basketball squad after being moved up from JV to V just 3 months prior.”

Read Katie’s full post here.

Laissez les bon temps bowle!

The 11th Annual SOL Bowl was a huge success! With the 2013 tagline being Laissez les bon temps bowle (translation=Let the good time bowl) we definitely did! Overall more than $15,000 was raised for Special Olympics Louisiana programs. Our athletes had a wonderful time mingling with the local businesses and celebrities.  Some of the celebrities included members of the New Orleans Saints, Voodoo, local TV & Radio personalities as well as several retired NFL players. View the pictures

Thanks to the event sponsors for making this SOL Bowl the best yet! Turkey Sponsors: Skanska, MAPP & Treasure Chest Casino. Strike Sponsors: Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day Club & Laser Amusement. Spare Sponsors: Otto Candies, RJK Insurance, Ramsey’s Diamond Jewelers, Walmart, Harahan Police Department, Kenner Police Department, Colonial Bowling Lanes and the New Orleans Chapter of the NFL Players Association.

 

Athlete, Manager, Graduate

One of our athletes, Shelby Billiot, will graduate from Springfield High School on May 9th.  Shelby has had a great high school career, all while serving as the Springfield High manager for both the football and baseball teams!  Shelby and his fellow senior teammates were honored recently at their last home baseball game.

Leave a comment to congratulate Shelby!

What would you do?

We are very proud of our Volunteer, Special Olympics College representative and local Best Buddies chapter president Marci Gaines. Marci was sitting in a college class when her professor used the r-word…”At this moment, I cannot explain the sense of emotions that overcame me. I contemplated calling her out on her remarks in class or confronting her after but knew my message would be better conveyed through words. I decided to send an email.” Read her email and the professors response here

What would you have done if you were Marci?

Camp Shriver

Camp Shriver will take place in Baton Rouge, Destrehan, Lafayette, and Shreveport this summer!  It is a place for people with and without intellectual disabilities to learn new sports skills, improve individual sport performance, and build friendships.

If you would like to get an athlete involved or become a partner for one of our camps, please send us an email or call us at 1-800-345-6644.

Read more about Camp Shriver here.

Over the Edge

Over the Edge 2013 will take place on November 1st in New Orleans at Benson Tower.  This is a chance of a lifetime to rappel down Benson Tower, then take a helicopter ride to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office to engage in S.W.A.T. Training!

Check out this video!

Happy Wednesday

“Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.”  ~Maya Angelou

Internships Available

Staff members Craig Oser, Kevin Collins and Charlie Courville recently spoke at an internship fair. Craig and Kevin both began their journey with SOLA as interns.

Did you know Special Olympics Louisiana has internships available? Build your portfolio while helping a state wide organization that serves over 13,500 people. Internships are available in Accounting, Broadcasting, Clerical, Event Planning, Fundraising, Management, Marketing, Public Relations, Recruiting, Technology and Sports/Competition.Contact our office to find out more at 1-800-345-6644 or laso@laso.org