MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

    Hello and welcome to Special Olympics Virginia, Area 26. You are viewing the home page
    of a large and active community of volunteers and Special Olympics athletes who are
    thrilled to train and compete in an array of sports programs. If you would like to become
    involved in our organization, please view the information on the website and contact me
    with any questions. If you are already involved, view the site as there is an abundance of
    information available. I would appreciate your comments and suggestions.

    Sincerely,
    Bill Ogletree (Chair)

    Please click the following link to read a message from Special Olympics Virginia, Area 26.
    Message from Chairman Bill Ogletree

2011-2012 GOALS FOR AREA 26 SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Hot off the press. Check out the coming year's goals for our Area. Click here for more
information.

COACH OF THE MONTH

    Jim Worden - Leader of the Pint Sized Panthers

    Last year when we decided to offer 8 foot basketball (that’s the height of the baskets, not
    the players!) we approached our friends at Burke Basketball for suggestions for coaches. One
    of the volunteers who accepted the challenge was Jim Worden, a former boys’ basketball
    coach at TC Williams High School. Jim had led his Titans to many District and Region
    Championships and even a Virginia State Championship, so we knew that he could teach
    basketball. Even though Jim’s career was spent teaching high school physical education and
    coaching elite athletes, Jim put his knowledge to good use teaching our youngest and
    newest athletes. You can feel the excitement in the gym as the athletes are greeted as they
    come in and get ready to warm up and participate in fun drills to prepare for the season.
    There is never a dull moment as the pint sized hoopsters learn to shoot, dribble, pass and play
    defense.

    At the end of the basketball season last year Jim asked “What sport is next?” When told track
    and field, he replied that he was willing to try that. The program started off small, but as the
    word spread about Jim’s skills, more and more athletes came out to practice each week.
    And then came fall. Jim said “I know nothing about soccer, but I can learn!” His
    granddaughter showed him some skills to teach and he took it from there. As these athletes
    grow up and into other programs, they will have a great base of knowledge and love of
    sports that Jim has given them. Thanks to Jim for representing all of our wonderful Area 26
    coaches!

ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

    The PVI Special Olympics Team

    They came, they saw, they conquered. Paul VI Catholic High School’s Special Olympics soccer
    team took Virginia Beach by storm the weekend of November 4, returning home with gold
    medals from the State tournament.

    A strong showing in the Saturday scrimmages placed the Panthers in a high division for
    Sunday's tournament. The team was undeterred and came away with hard-fought 3-1 and 4-1
    victories to win their division's championship.

    In a well-matched semi-final game against the Warriors, the first half was a defensive struggle.
    The lone goal was scored by PVI's diminutive but dangerous Taylor Clouse, who continued his
    season-long scoring spree. PVI's defense was led by Brandi Lovett, Joseph Gittinger, and Travis
    Smith. The goalie tandem of Gittinger and Sonie McKenna proved to be stronger than Fort
    Knox, quickly snuffing out all of the Warrior's advances on offense.

    To read more of the article from the Fairfax City Patch, click here.

Meaning of the Special Olympics Logo

The logo has five people who each have six arms. The down position means "downtrodden", remembering a time when many people thought thosewith intellectual disabilities were not able to make good decisions or try new things. This often describes the lives of athletes before they became involved in Special Olympics. Many had few friends and spent most of their time
alone. The straight arms mean "equal", showing that our athletes are just like everyone else. The raised arms represent "joy", and realizing ultimate goals.
    The five people represent the five continents involved in Special Olympics at the time the
    logo was created. The people are placed in a circle to represent the world as there are
    Special Olympic athletes and volunteers in almost every country around the globe.

MESSAGE FROM KEVIN OGLETREE - SPECIAL OLYMPICS ATHLETE

    My name is Kevin Ogletree and I am an athlete with Special Olympics and I’m on the council.
    I bet all of you are wondering, what is Special Olympics? Well, it’s a special program for
    people with disabilities. It gives them an opportunity to compete in different sport events,
    helps improve their skills, gives them a chance to practice being a team player, by showing
    others what they can do, and most importantly to have fun. We also get volunteers to help
    us fundraise different activities to raise money for Special Olympics. Special Olympics’
    volunteers have put in a lot of effort in giving the athletes new & fun opportunities that they
    enjoy year round.

    Please click the following link to read the rest of the message from Kevin.
    Message from Special Olympics Athlete, Kevin Ogletree

EVENTS FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS VIRGINIA, Area 26

    The Nysmith School is hosting a “Make The Point’ Fundraiser for Special
    Olympics Virginia, Area 26

    On Friday, January 13, 2012, from 8:45 AM to 2:45 PM, Nysmith School will be hosting a
    fundraiser for Area 26. Throughout the day, we need Global Messengers and Special Olympic
    basketball players to spend an hour or two at this event to help out and cheer on the Nysmith
    students as they shoot baskets to raise money for Special Olympics, Area 26.

    Global messengers should also prepare to give a 1 to 2 minute thank you speech.

    Please wear your Special Olympics basketball uniform or other Special Olympics clothing.
    For more information and to RSVP please contact Coach Pat With the exact times, you can
    be at this great event!

    FANQUEST: Saturday, January 28, 2012 Oakton HS

    Special Olympics Basketball Game, Dance and Family games. Have a Saturday night worth
    remembering. Come out and help us blow the roof off of Oakton High School. Our goals are
    simple, fill the gym, be loud and have fun. Click here for more information.

    Fairfax Adult Softball’s 12th Annual Bowling Tournament
    Sunday, January 29, 2012

    Support Fairfax Adult Softball (FAS) and Virginia Special Olympics, Area 26, by bringing your
    friends and family to join us for an afternoon of fun and prizes! Enjoy lunch and three games of
    bowling, and be the lucky winner of the 50/50 drawing, sporting event tickets, a new bowling
    ball, bowling bags, bowling shoes, free dinners, movie tickets, or other great PRIZES being
    raffled throughout the day! We are accepting only 48 teams, so get your application in today.
    Click here to download the entry form. Click here to download the sponsorship form.

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