Congratulations to athletes who competed in SOVT's 2021 Fall Games!
Many Fall Games local celebrations included members of local law enforcement, as part of the 2021 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Vermont! This year, over 50 departments carried the Flame of Hope across the state of Vermont to support Special Olympics athletes!
**SOVT encourages continued outdoor, socially distanced & masked exercise gatherings among programs (ex. walking groups, recreational non-contact soccer, workout class, whiffle ball, recreational bocce, etc.) for as long as possible this fall/winter!**
What kinds of virtual programming would you participate in this winter? Please take our survey!
SOVT wants to help you stay fit & active this winter! We're asking for your feedback on what virtual activities you'd participate in this winter. Tell us what will keep you active and engaged with SOVT! Please take our survey and let us know your thoughts: click here to take SOVT Virtual Programming Survey!
Announcing Special Olympics Vermont's 2022 USA Games Delegation!
Mathew Benn
Mathew is from Beebe Plain, VT and has been a Special Olympics athlete for 20 years! Being a part of SOVT has given him confidence and taught him to persevere through adversity.
Jenny Mayfield
Jenny is from Hartland, VT and golfs almost every week with her father and coach, Brett! She believes in following the rules and giving her best.
Julia Bruner
Julia lives in Hyde Park, VT has swam with Special Olympics since she was 8 years old! She says participating in Special Olympics has given her courage to try new, challenging things and the ability to overcome any obstacles she faces in life.
Marcus DeSmit
Marcus is from Vergennes, VT and has always enjoyed being in the water! He says SOVT introduced him to different sports that he normally would not have tried.
Chelsea Waldner
Chelsea is from St. Johnsbury, VT and works hard every day to keep her muscles strong and healthy! She says being a part of Special Olympics allowed her to find friendship and develop her confidence.
Pascal Deppisch
Pascal is from Danville, VT and has pushed himself to become an elite runner! This year he has completed a 100k route, and also placed 5th out of 124 runners in the RunVermont Retro Rally 5k race!
Check out our social media (linked to the bottom of this newsletter) to witness their reactions to hearing the news about being selected!
LAST CALL: SOVT will be accepting nominations for a school-aged Unified Pair to be part of a Youth Leadership Experience at 2022 USA Games. Please let SOVT Director of Programs, Rachel Hamm Vaughan (rhamm@vtso.org) know if you're interested, or if you know of a pair who would be!
SOVT is always accepting interest in competing at a higher level! Please click the button below and fill out our World and USA Games Interest Form if you'd like to be considered for future World or USA Games competitions: click here for World/USA Games Interest Form!
#SONAMove Challenge Update!
SOVT has over 70 athletes and Unified partners participating in the Fall SONA Move Challenge! Our Vermont program is currently ranked 9th in the nation in movement/exercise minutes - incredible! Way to go, SOVT #SONAMovers! Special Olympics North America (SONA) has been posting weekly Wednesday workouts to their YouTube Channel. We encourage the SOVT community to try them out! Click here to try a #WellnessWednesday workout.
Special Olympics North America (SONA) named SOVT Unified Doubles pair Eli & Mica the Week 3 Movers of the Week! Eli and Mica said, "We joined the #SONAMove challenge because in our family exercise is critical to keeping us happy and positive. The friendly competition with our SONA friends is keeping smiles on our faces!"
Special Olympics North America (SONA) named SOVT athlete Jules Madison as the Week 5 Mover of the Week! Jules has been crushing his weekly exercise, wracking up 400+ minutes each week with activities like soccer, hiking, gymnastics, and yard work with his family!
Norwich Unify Announcement
Norwich University will be hosting its Norwich Unify program this year! If you live in the area of Central Vermont and are interested in participating in the program, email Ethan Olsen (eolson1@norwich.edu) or Colton Murphy (cmurphy4@stu.norwich.edu) for more information and to get on the list!
UVM Unified Fitness Announcement
The University of Vermont will be offering their Unified Fitness program, in-person, on Thursday’s this fall through December 2nd! Activities will include walking, yoga, dancing, circuit workouts, and more! The program begins this Thursday, October 14th and there are two time options: 4:45pm - 5:30pm OR 5:30pm – 6:15pm. The Unified Fitness meetings will take place at the University of Vermont - Rowell Building Room 32. If you are interested in signing up for the UVM Unified Fitness program or would like more information, please email Susan Kasser at susan.kasser@med.uvm.edu or Emma Severn at emmajsevern@gmail.com.
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Click here to view the original Fall 2021 newsletter.