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About WSO

Westerville Special Olympics (WSO) offers year-round athletic programs for people with developmental disabilities. Our program includes team basketball, basketball skills, bowling, soccer, swimming, tennis, track & field and volleyball. WSO serves those living in the Westerville area in both Franklin and Delaware Counties.

What’s up with WSO- March 4th
SILENT AUCTION & DINNER
Thank you to all the members of the Westerville North Lacrosse team for such a great evening last Saturday night. I'm sure I speak for the rest of our organization when I say that you all have helped in ways that couldn't have been achieved on our own. I have no idea how much money was raised, but just from some of the bids in the live auction, it's got to be a success. I had so many people come up to me last night and thank me for my talk and then say that if there was anything they could do to help out, let them know. All I can say is that emotionally, I was a mess last night. The outpouring of generosity was overwhelming and I think WSO is going to be able to move in the right direction for quite some time now. I was really impressed by how your girls befriended our athletes and then enabled them to help with the all the activities and duties needed to be done.
We truly appreciate everything they've done and we look forward to supporting them during the upcoming season. Sean Moore

ATHLETE’S CORNER by Andrea Kontras
Cameron, Ty, Andrew, Erin, Sean and I as Westerville Special Olympics athletes got to help out at the silent auction dinner Saturday night February 27th 2010. I thought my experience of helping the Westerville North Girls Lacrosse team was wonderful. I would like to thank the girls from the Lacrosse team for choosing us as the charity of their choice this year. At the Bowl-a-thon, in January the Girls Lacrosse team raised a lot of money. I would like to thank Coach Rich, the Girls Lacrosse team, and Coach Sean for putting the silent auction together. I really enjoyed working and serving at the silent auction and dinner.
Some of the things, to name a few, for the silent auction were: OSU mini helmet signed by James Laurinaitis and a Cookie Monster Basket. Another item up for the silent auction was a Bath & Body Works Gift Set that went for $60.00.
The Hilton Head Getaway went for $1,200 at the Live Auction. The Ohio State Basketball signed by the 2009-2010 Men’s Basketball team went for $225 at the Raffle. To end my story and thoughts about the evening it was an awesome experience and I had a wonderful time.
BANQUET for Basketball Skills and Team Athletes will be March 30th, 6:30pm, at Westerville Public Library, 126 South State Street, 43081. Pizza, salad, and drinks will be provided. Please bring a dessert to share.

BASKETBALL SKILLS
March 5th, March 19th and 26th ….practices will be at Annehurst, 7pm.
NO Practice March 12th.
Thank you to Coach Sean and Coach Alice for helping coach the Basketball Skills practice on Feb 26 when Coach Dave had a schedule conflict. Also, we welcomed a new Coach…. John!
Representing WSO at State Competition (BISC) held at
Hilliard Darby High School on March 27th (9am-1pm) will be:
Sara Barton, Joey Bernhard, Leanna Brasher, Elaine Brusca, Treyce Buday, Megan Cole, Heather Culver, Kody Drakulich, Hayley Flood, Adam Hollins, Cathy Houck, Carmen Iacampo, Susan Jefferis, Walter McClenaghan, Madison Monroe, Kali O’Hara, Tori Sherman, and Kim Wilson GOOD LUCK AT STATES!

BASKETBALL TEAM
March 8th, 6:30-8:30, practice will be at Annehurst.
Ok everyone, here's information for the tourney on March 13th, 10am-4pm, at Mill Valley Elementary School, 633 Millwood Blvd., 43040.
They have a lot of stuff planned for us, including WII, Xbox and movies between games. Since it's an elementary school, the court is going to be a little smaller, probably the same size as ours. Either way, we'll be able to show off both our JV and Varsity squads.
There will be a concession stand set up for food and beverages, but I would HIGHLY recommend that you bring drinks and snacks. Also, make sure you bring chairs, because there won't be any bleachers.
I believe we're in the first set of games, so I'm thinking we'll need to be there by 9:30. Parents PLEASE have your athlete there at 9:30 and not 9:55 so I can focus on getting everyone warmed up and dressed and not have to worry about whether we'll have enough players. Remember that it takes approximately 45 or more to get there depending upon where you live, so plan appropriately.
I'm really excited about this opportunity, so let's go out there and show them what WSO is all about! Coach Sean

THE BIG GAME (Athletes versus Coaches and Parents) will be on March 22nd from 6-8 at Westerville Rec Center. Halftime performance by IYooWee Special Needs Cheer Team!

GYMNASTICS
I have been approached by Coaches who would be interested in starting a gymnastic program here in Westerville…please let me know if you’re interested.-Alice

SOCCER practice will begin April 13th at Alum Creek Park. This year we will have 2 Teams. Entry level Team will practice with Head Coach Jeremy from 6-7pm. Competitive Team will practice from 6:30-dusk with Head Coach Chris. Welcome Coach Jeremy!
TENNIS will be practicing at Metzger Park on Monday nights, 6-7:30, beginning April 12th! Thank you Coach Janine!
TRACK UPDATE
It’s almost here! In 2 short weeks we will begin our track season for the year. Our first two practices on March 17th and 24th will be at the Clements Recreation Center indoor track at Otterbein College. The facility is located at 160 Center St., Westerville, OH 43081. You can get to the facility from State Street or Cleveland Avenue by turning on to Main Street and taking Main Street to Center Street. Follow past the football stadium and parking will be on your left. Enter the main entrance and follow the signs to the indoor track facility. Practices will begin at 6:00 and run until 7:30. PLEASE NOTE: A parent, guardian or caregiver responsible for each athlete must be at the first practice on the 17th for a brief 30-minute meeting starting at 6:00. We will cover Athlete Safety Forms, review the season schedule and discuss which events your athlete will plan to compete in. We will also be asking everyone to sign-up for a volunteer position for the Westerville Warm-Up meet the team will be hosting on Saturday June 19th.
Our third practice on March 31st and all practices for the rest of the season will be at Westerville Central High School located at 7118 Mount Royal Avenue, 43082. The high school is between Tussic/Spring Road and State Street/Rt. 3 on the north side of town. There is parking by the track on the south side of the school building by the football stadium. WE WILL NOT HAVE PRACTICE ON APRIL 7th DUE TO SPRING BREAK. Practices will resume on Wednesday April 14th.
I along with all the coaches are looking forward to a fun, challenging and competitive season. Coach Dan

VOLLEYBALL will start TODAY, Thursday, March 4th, 6:30-8, at Walnut Springs Middle School, 888 East Walnut Street, Westerville, 43081. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone and introducing a couple new athletes to the team! Hope everyone is ready for a new season of hard work and a lot of fun! We’ll practice every Monday and Thursday, 6:30-8:00pm through the end of June. Lead by Coach Kathy Ullom!
VOTING CONTINUES….
We are currently ranked #213…please vote daily!
Westerville's three high schools are involved in a competitive grant process sponsored by Pepsi. We need your help to win $25,000!

Here's the idea submitted for funding. We have many high school students who participate in Special Olympics - they love to play and compete but are not physically able to play for our varsity teams. They would cherish the chance to earn and wear a high school varsity letter jacket.
Funding from this grant would help fund their Special Olympics sports teams and purchase jackets for the Special Olympians who earn them. Cast your vote and support this worthwhile program at the link below:

http://www.refresheverything.com/VarsityLettersforSpecialOlympicAthletes

Thank you in advance for your support, and please forward this message to anyone else who may be interested in participating!

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FYI…

This article was published in the Westerville News and Opinion on February 10th.

Thank you to our Westerville Community on behalf of the Athletes, Parents, Families and Friends of the Westerville Special Olympics (WSO).  It has been so amazing over the past couple of years to watch our organization grow because of the generosity of time and commitment provided by individuals in the Westerville community. WSO started a number of years ago offering only a select amount of activities to our athletes: basketball skills, volleyball and track & field, but because of your support, we have expanded our program to include swimming, tennis, bowling, basketball teams, soccer and hopefully softball this summer.

We would like to recognize just a few that have made such a difference:

• Last spring we kicked off our first year of a Soccer program.  Westerville Central Boys Soccer Team and sponsor, Michele Holtom approached us wanting to help out. They provided excellent leadership, skill training, and support for our athletes.
• Westerville North Girls Lacrosse Team, lead by their coach Richard Case, is spearheading our fundraising efforts this year. They started with a “get-to-know-ya” Country Western dance and then in January, held a very successful Bowl-a-thon. On February 27th they will host a Silent Auction and Dinner at Medallion Country Club Emceed by Mindy Drayer from NBC 4. The Boys Freshman Basketball Team from North has also worked with our Basketball Team.
• Westerville South Girls Basketball Teams, lead by Coach Steve Blocker, held a clinic for our Skills Athletes. They worked on dribbling, shooting, passing and even an impromptu Rap session while having a great time in the process. They also hosted a game between WSO and Worthington Special Olympics, providing referees, an announcer, buzzers and even cheerleaders. It was a memorable night for all the athletes!
• Westerville Aquatic Club (WAC), sponsored by Jim Peterfish, has worked with WSO for the past three years. They have provided outstanding coaches for our Swim Team and have been invaluable in their services to our athletes needing swim lessons. WAC Coaches are from all over Westerville.
• Thanks to Westerville Parks and Recreation, Westerville City Schools, Oakstone Aquatic Club, Capri Lanes and Otterbein College for providing facilities for us to practice.

It is such a privilege to be a part of such a caring community.

Sincerely,

Alice Wilson

Coordinator, WSO

 E-mail address: westervillespecialolympics@gmail.com