Area 2

Area Events

Counties » Leelanau, Antrim, Grand Traverse, Benzie, Kalkaska

Sports » Alpine Skiing, Aquatics, Athletics (Track and Field), Basketball, Bocce, Bowling, Cross Country Skiing, Cycling, Motor Activities Training Program (MATP), Poly Hockey, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball, Young Athlete Program (YAP)

Total Athletes » 270

On this page, you will find information about our area, a list of upcoming events and even news articles about what is happening. If you have any questions about Area 2, please email Ellen O'Malley, area2somi@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

Recipe for a Happy New Year

Take 12 whole months; remove all the bitterness, hatred and jealousy. Wash them in love, light and life.

Then cut each into 28, 30 or 31 pieces, accordingly. Set aside all but one portion. One day at a time add the following ingredients: (1) part faith, (1) part patience, (1) part courage and (1) part honest work. Mix well.

Add to each day (1) part hope, generosity, optimism and kindness. Blend with (7) parts prayer and (3) parts meditation. Add at least (1) good deed.

Season the whole with a dash of good spirits, a sprinkle of fun, a pinch of play and a cup of good humor. Carefully fold in friends and family until thoroughly combined.

Pour all ingredients into a vessel well oiled with harmony. Cook thoroughly until your heart tests warm and tender. Garnish with a smile and serve with quiet unselfishness and unending happiness. Enjoy!

-Courtesy of 90 yr old friend of Special Olympics

Thank you to all Special Olympic friends and family for your support throughout the year.


 

Handmade From the Heart

The Athlete Leadership Fundraiser's first Fleece Blanket Sale, turned out to be big fun on this year's coldest day of December. In addition to a couple of very kind veteran Salvation Army bell-ringers, ALP Fleece Blanket team leader Nikki Herman and Area 2 athletes braved the winter chill beneath awnings outside of Sam's Club, in Traverse City. Holiday shopping was at its best, as bustling customers hurried to cars, with smiles to match carts full of loot. Beautiful year-round blankets, great holiday gifts and talented athlete salesmanship inspired more than a few to purchase, as the athletes say, "Handmade from the Heart," blankets. Many thanks to Sam's Club, to the shoppers and to those who kindly donated to Special Olympics Michigan Area 2 athletes.

 

 

NorthStar Coach Emma Budros Steps Up For Junior Soccer

Emma Budros, a 22 year-old graduate of Northern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training, is a valuable addition to the Special Olympics Michigan Area 2 Team. Her internship at the United States Olympic Education Center, coupled with work experience coordinating modified recreational activities for adults with disabilities, provide a great platform for coaching Area 2 athletes. Emma, a natural athlete, has been both player and coach for the NorthStar Soccer organization. She is as talented on the field as she is coaching from the sidelines. Even more importantly, Emma displays a commitment and compassion that exemplify the Special Olympics tradition.

When Emma volunteered to coach Area 2's first (8-15 yr old) Junior Soccer Program, she vowed to give it her best, "Whether one or twenty athletes show up." Having worked as a counselor at a therapy camp for disabled children, Emma knew to focus her coaching on the fundamentals, such as kicking, following the ball and basic footwork. Emma describes the six-week program as a real learning experience, where she quickly grasped that telling or describing activities was ineffective. Instead, patiently demonstrating each exercise multiple times was the better way to help these athletes adapt and learn. She's confident that the athletes improved their skills as the result of their participation.

Emma also found time to help with the adult Special Olympics soccer program. She enjoyed not only the coaching but also the opportunity to develop relationships with many of the athletes. Emma describes the athletes as, "sweethearts," and was impressed with their determination and dedication as they worked through their practices in preparation for the State Soccer Finals. Emma, glad to serve as both coach and chaperone for the State event, describes the final game, which the Area 2 team won in a shoot-out, as remarkably exciting. "The teams were yelling and cheering at every shot, and every goalie stop," she says. "When we finally made the winning goal everyone was jumping up and down!"

As much as Emma enjoyed the inaugural Junior Soccer season and victory at the State Finals, she has an even more ambitious 2012 goal. In March, Emma and a friend are going to hike the Appalachian Trail, a 2000+ mile effort. "It's just something I really want to do," she says. We have faith the pioneering Coach Budros will complete her adventurous journey, and look forward to her Special Olympic return.

 

Mary Loomis Champion's Young Athlete Program

Mary Loomis, a pediatric physical therapist in Traverse City, has long recognized that the developmentally challenged children she treats and all those with similar developmental issues benefit greatly from activities far removed from clinical therapy. With that in mind, Mary was quite interested when she discovered Special Olympics had a Young Athletes Program, commonly referred to as YAP, designed for young athletes, aged 2 through 7. She contacted the local Special Olympics Area Director and expressed interest in starting a program. Her suggestion, brought to the Area Management Team, was met with a resounding "Good Idea!" and Mary launched Special Olympic Michigan Area 2's first YAP program in the summer of 2010.

That first class of six students, made up of her own patients and others recruited from local school programs and physician's clients, was held at Mary's work-place, Children's Therapy Corner. It was highly participative with Mary providing guidance and direction while athletes and their parent or care-givers, as well as other volunteers worked closely together.

The Young Athlete Program is designed to help the athletes develop basic skills that will be useful in later athletic ventures. The skills include basic foundation skills as well as more advanced coordination and agility skills.

The program Mary led included a variety of throwing, catching and kicking games, variety being a way to keep the children excited about new actions while developing the same skill. Hitting games were also varied where in one exercise the children would hit a balloon with a tennis racquet while in another they might hit a ball with a hockey stick. Teamwork was enhanced through relay races and exercises where athletes partnered with each other.

"The athletes' excitement and enthusiasm keep the program leaders on our toes," Mary says. "We're always looking forward to the next session!"

As with all Special Olympics programs, recognition is a constant. All children receive awards on the final day. Perhaps more exciting, they get water balloons to throw at their parents/care givers and their coaches!

The second summer program in 2011 doubled in enrollment, with 12 athletes attending training at Oak Park Elementary School. A one-day program is planned during the Christmas school break, December 28th, and the 2012 summer program is already being planned.

Further down the road, Mary would like to see a year-round program, a vision that would require an increase in volunteer coaches. The next specific step, Mary hopes, will be the development of a young athlete swim program.

In keeping with Special Olympic tradition, Mary is of the opinion the benefits go far beyond the development of skills for individual athletes. She sees the development of a community where parents and athletes get to know and work with each other.

"I see families connecting," Mary says, "cheering and helping each other's children. And the children definitely gain confidence."
The development and execution of Area 2's Young Athlete Program was a labor of love for Mary, requiring much organization and hard work. But, it does have its rewards, "It's been a joy working with both the young athletes and their parents."

Clearly a win-win situation for all!

 

Related Documents