News & Media

Student Athlete Leadership Summit Series Focuses on Leadership, Being Fear-less 
 

Special Olympics Connecticut and the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) partnered to present one in a series of three Youth Leadership Summits at Rocky Hill High School on November 12th. The event drew more than 400 participants, including Unified Sports® teammates, coaches and administrators from area schools. 

The theme of the series was FEAR - less and the concept of having fear compel you to try new things but not stop you from achieving your goals was presented by keynote speaker Darryl Bellamy Jr. at the start of the day. Breakout sessions included leadership and teambuilding activities and lessons for inspiring kindness and inclusion were led by students from Coginchaug, Bunnell, Cheshier, Simsbury, Conard and Branford High Schools and Norwich Free Academy. Special Olympics International's Chief Inspirational Officer, Loretta Claiborne offered her moving, inspirational story and closing remarks.

An additional Athlete Leadership Summit for over 300 high school students and coaches from Fairfield County is also scheduled to take place at Staples High School on November 19^th. A Leadership Summit for middle school students  and coaches who participate in Special Olympics Unified Sports® will take place at the COOP Vale-Berlin in Berlin on December 4th.

 

Hartford Officers Present First SOCT Unified Citizens Academy

Hartford police officers and explorers presented the first-ever Special Olympics Connecticut Unified Citizens Academy to a group of athletes at the Hartford PAL Building on November 8th. During the day-long training, athletes got to experience real-life scenes and situations officers deal with while on the job and learn about motor vehicle stops, fingerprinting, and department practices and procedures through lecturing, simulations and role play. 

 

Global Messengers Encouraged to Express Themselves Through Iprov, Art

More than 100 athlete leaders, mentors, speakers, volunteers and SOCT board and staff members came together at Yale West Campus for our Fall Athlete Leadership Training Day on November 1st.

Presenters included Tim Washer - a motivational speaker and comedy writer; Matt Conway, Debbie Williams and Sharon Aprea from RiseUP / Able Solutions who presented a super strength activity and guided participants in making Art4Hope Therapy Kits for children in the hospital; Steve Rzezuski, leadership trainer, assisted by Global Messenger Ali Smith; SOCT Board Member Gino Caro, Owner of Fast Lane Speed Training, assisted by Global Messenger Brandon Knight and Global Messenger Robin Batchelder who introduced her new project / website, Be The Missing Piece 14.

The 51 Global Messengers and high school athlete leaders came with toys and gifts to donate to the Connecticut Children's Medical Center for the holidays and celebrated all their birthdays together with a big cake. The day was supported by volunteers from Synchrony, Presenting Sponsor of the SOCT Athlete Leadership Program.

 

Nirenstein, Horowitz & Associates Hosts Night of Thanks

Employees of Nirenstein, Horowitz & Associates welcomed 14 SOCT Global Messengers to their Glastonbury office and worked alongside them to write thank you notes to donors and supporters during our Fall Night of Thanks on October 22nd. Grateful Global Messengers also signed, sealed and sent thank you cards from home. In total, more than 600 cards were mailed to individuals and organizations who support us to let them know how much they are appreciated!

 

Golfers Come Together for Regional Tournament

Golfers from Special Olympics Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts met up at Raceway Golf Course in Thompson (CT) to play in the annual Special Olympics New England Golf Invitational on October 19th. Great shots and new friendships were made!