Team Mesa to launch new E-newsletter

Team Mesa is launching a new electronic newsletter to be distributed by email to athletes, families and community members each quarter. The newsletter will include links to registrations, program and event information and much more! The extended version of each newsletter will be posted on this blog.

Mesa Coach receives Special Education Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to Marli Bennett for being recognized by Mesa Public Schools as the Special Education Teacher of the Year. Marli is a dedicated and valued teacher at EMECEC who is always striving to meet the individual needs of her students. She understands the important role that special education plays in our community. As a lead teacher, she takes the initiative to mentor new teachers and provides resources and support to all colleagues. Her teaching methodologies and collaborative efforts enrich student experiences.

Marli is both a coach and a site director for Special Olympics. She enjoys her interactions and travels to tournaments with athletes from track and field, soccer, basketball, and floor hockey. This past year, Marli participated in a triathlon with athletes to raise money for the organization.

Marli tutors students who are homebound giving them encouragement and support. She has fostered many meaningful and rewarding relationships with each student and their families. She is truly an inspiration to others.

AzDS Bikes assist to raise money for Relay for Life

Team “Super Stampers” used the cycles of the adaptive programs in Mesa to raise money for Relay for Life, an event to raise money to fight cancer.

Not only was the team able to raise money by offering a bike ride for a buck, but they were able to raise awareness through advertising and speaking to each relay participant about the organization. Each bike was labeled with an AzDS sign which provided many opportunities to explain how AzDS and MASD help athletes with disabilities as well as the volunteer opportunities that are available year-round.

A huge sign in front of the tent advertised “Bike for a Buck” starting at midnight. The interesting adaptive hand-cycles alone generated so much interest, that people were asking to ride earlier.

At 11 pm a couple of the teammates got on the 3 hand bikes and one recumbent bike to let the people on the track know that the booth was open for business. A swarm of people rushed to the booth wanting to ride the cycles. Participants were able to ride two laps for a dollar.

With the bikes alone, the team raised over $160.00 and overall raised close to $2,000 for Relay for Life. Congratulations to co-captains of the “Super Stampers”, Marli Bennett and Carol Hopkins.

2010 Summer Games

From April 29th to May 1st, Special Olympics Arizona hosted the Special Olympic Summer Games at Mesa Community College and Tempe Town Lake. Mesa was very well represented at the event and entered athletes in track & field, tennis, gymnastics, power lifting, and kayaking.

Team Mesa athletes did a great job and brought home a lot of medals. Besides competing in their given event, Team Mesa athletes enjoyed meeting and making new friends, playing games in the athlete’s village, eating all the good food available and of course dancing at the opening ceremonies.

22nd Annual SOEV Track & Field Meet in Mesa

On Saturday, April 10, 2010 the 22nd Annual SOEV track and field meet was held at Mesa High School. Teams from Apache Junction, Gilbert, Tempe, Chandler, City of Scottsdale, Maricopa, Payson, Scottsdale Schools, Paradise Valley, Queen Creek, Kyrene and Mesa participated in the all day event.

The juniors and senior events were held from 10am to 2pm followed by the adult events starting at 4pm and finishing at 8pm.The 2010 event hosted 319 juniors and seniors, 40 Unified partners and 130 adult athletes competing for a grand total of 489 participants! The 2011 event stands to be even bigger! One change to anticipate for next year is that the relays may take place on Friday night. Mesa athletes performed well in all of their events to prepare for the state games in May. Congratulations to all of the teams on a great event!