When I asked to volunteer for the Special Olympics, I had not the slightest idea of what I was getting myself into!
It was a three day event with athletes from all over Michigan and held at Central Michigan University. Thousands and thousands of athletes came. Each one of them have such big hearts and are so dedicated to which ever sport(s) they chose. Sports range from gymnastics, to swimming and even bowling. It was amazing to watch them compete in all of the sports. The confidence they portrayed is that of which everyone should feel for themselves. Just walking down the sidewalks to go to the next sport, the athletes would run up and give us hugs and tell us all about the medals around their necks. They are each so proud of themselves, which they should be! They each have such big and warm hearts with so much love! It was truly an eye opening experience.
All of the athletes were split into groups for the Opening Ceremony. This is Area 6 with all the athletes from Montcalm County. Miss Danish Festival(Greenville), Chelsea Kreiner is pictured here with all of us. We were able to be with the athletes from our own hometowns, so that was cool in and of itself!
A bunch of the phenomenal athletes at Kelly Shorts Stadium with Chelsea, Me, Mekeisha and Emily.
I hungout with Emily and Ashley just about the whole weekend. The first event we were at was gymnastics! The girls in the picture looooooved purple, just like me! ;] They wore purple outfits, skirts, hair accessories, makeup, you name it!
Chelsea and I with a couple of CMU's football players. The whole team helped out at the Special Olympics with all of us "Queens". Great guys!!
Nicole, Miss Michigan 2009 and I with one of the athletes at the Opening Ceremony.
Nate and I. He escorted me into the Opening Ceremony. He became my best friend for the evening; we found each other everywhere!
Me doing these crazy fitness workout hool-a-hoops. It is a lot harder than it looks!
Emily, Ashley and I on an awesome motorcycle! Haha, too fun.
A little background information about myself...
I will be attending Western Michigan University this fall. The first question people ask is: What do you plan on studying? Well, I really want to study education. Therefore, the second question is: Oh really, at what level? But really, I have never been able to make up my mind. For the past few years I always knew I wanted to be a teacher of some sort. I cant think of any career that could possibly make me happier than helping a child understand a topic that they couldn't before or pushing a student to take that next step and fulfill his or her dreams. I believe a teacher can do just that...I have met teachers that have done that and it is truly incredible. Back to the FAQ. I have never known which age group I would like best: Early elementary, elementary, middle school or even high school. I kept going between elementary and secondary(HS).
Once I got back from my weekend with the Special Olympics, my mom asked me questions about it. And the only definite thing I could come up with was: I LOVED IT! Since then, I have been considering Special Education. I still am not positive what level I will chose, but I do not believe I could possibly go wrong with teaching!
