Tag: Feature
Warren HS Honored for Inclusive Environment
DOWNEY, Calif. – Neil Everett walked onto the stage on the Justice Stadium football field at Warren High School, unzipped his jacket and revealed a navy T-shirt with the words “The Cave” – an ode to the school’s student section. The 4,000 students in attendance roared in approval, engulfing the ESPN SportsCenter anchor with the ...
INSIDE SOSC: Thriller in the OC
By Kelsey Lewis HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — More than 50 athletes and 40 volunteers were in attendance as four teams clashed in the 2019 Orange County Regional floor hockey competition at The RINKS in Huntington Beach on Feb. 9. The competition made for a busy bracket with each team playing at least two games throughout ...
‘Choose to Include – No Matter What’
CHULA VISTA – Students at Olympian High School had a packed gymnasium rocking, cheering on fellow classmates during a Special Olympics Unified basketball game. “Choose to include – no matter what!” was the chant, as the force of the growing “inclusion revolution” promoted by the organization’s Unified Champion Schools program continues to sweep the nation. ...
INSIDE SOSC: Off and Running in 2019
The 2019 calendar year brings another round of great experiences to Special Olympics Southern California athletes and supporters, and a few returning events. Throughout the year, WeAreSOSC and our social media channels will be highlighting the people and moments that have shaped the organization's first 50 years. To start it off, there's no better place ...
Rafer Johnson: A Special Olympics Visionary
Rafer Johnson has endless achievements to his name. He has won an Olympic gold medal and silver medal in the decathlon. Sports Illustrated named him its Sportsman of the Year in 1958 and ESPN included him among the 100 Greatest North American Athletes of the 20th century. He’s appeared in a James Bond film. Yet, ...
INSIDE SOSC: Recapping 2018
With two weeks remaining in the calendar year, it's time to look back on 2018. WeAreSOSC.org was created to help tell the stories of Special Olympics Southern California athletes and recap the various events and fundraisers. Here are some of the highlights (click subhead for full post): What it Means to Play Unified Back in ...
Respect: The R-Word Special Olympics Strives to Promote
Stephanie Hardy remembers what life was like as a high school student with intellectual disabilities. There were days she would walk through the quad and bullies would stuff her in a trashcan, and other days would come with name-calling. She wanted to be seen and acknowledged like the rest of the students – but not ...
INSIDE SOSC: Healthy Dose of Care
Individuals with intellectual disabilities are an underserved community in many respects, and healthcare is among the most important areas. On average, people with ID die 16 years sooner than the general population due to denial of health services or undetected health issues. In the last two decades, Special Olympics has made significant strides to change ...
An Opportunity to Shine
Think of any sporting event, at any level, and the athletes involved share common goals. The teams and individuals want to test themselves, striving to rise to the occasion and perform their very best when the stakes are the highest. Special Olympics Southern California athletes are no different, and they continue to prove that year-round ...
INSIDE SOSC: ‘More Than Sports’
Daree Jordan sees her son, Justus, as one of the many athletes who have gone through a transformative experience with Special Olympics Southern California. Among the biggest differences are in the confidence the 24-year-old carries and the camaraderie he shares with his fellow Special Olympics San Luis Obispo County athletes. "He just looks forward to ...