Latest news with #SpecialOlympicsNewYork
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NYC school makes history with first-ever national banner for inclusion
NEW YORK (PIX11) — Students and teachers packed the Tweed Courthouse in Lower Manhattan on Wednesday as Manhattan Public School 721M made history, receiving New York City's first-ever national banner for inclusion. The honor, presented by ESPN and Special Olympics New York, marks the highest recognition for a Unified Champion School and celebrates the school's commitment to inclusion through sports and student leadership. More Local News As the banner was revealed, the room filled with applause and excitement. 'Today's a very special day for me 'cause I've been a part of the Special Olympics for around four years now,' said Mohamed Kebbeh, a 17-year-old soccer player at the school. Reflecting on the moment, Kebbeh added, 'It really meant so much to me to really have the first ever national band.' The Unified Champion Schools program brings together students with and without intellectual disabilities to compete on the same teams, fostering a culture of acceptance and teamwork. Stacey Hengsterman, President and CEO of Special Olympics New York, highlighted the growth of the program across the city. 'Special Olympics New York and the New York City's public schools have taken our partnership to a record level,' she said. 'In the past three years, we have grown not one unified team, and we've given the city hawks a little competition.' Hengsterman also noted, 'Now, we have more than 40 high schools and middle schools competing unified across the city.' Coach Joe Stewart emphasized the deeper meaning behind the recognition. 'Come fly with the Hawks, look for those that are left out, and welcome them. You will benefit them as much as they will. And just like the City Hawks, you may make history together with them.' For more information on PS721M, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Polar Plunge returns to Plattsburgh
PLATTSBURGH — Everybody was 'freezin' for a reason,' and that reason was fundraising for Special Olympics New York athletes. Plattsburgh City Beach echoed with laughter and shivers Saturday after hundreds endured the 37-degree water of Lake Champlain in the name of goodwill. BODY AND SOUL According to Town of Plattsburgh Supervisor Michael Cashman, the plunge is a 'full body and soul' experience. 'The cold will invigorate your body and really captures your breath,' he said. 'And it stays with you for a while.' Cashman took the plunge alongside City of Plattsburgh Mayor Wendell Hughes and State Assemblyman Billy Jones. Over 40 teams, consisting of local law enforcement, firefighters, college students, high school students, businesses and nonprofits participated in the plunge and raised over $15,000. 'IT WAS VERY COLD' For Tharron Roberts, of Team FCI Ray Brook and a first time plunger, the frigid dip was a shocking and new experience. 'It was very cold,' she said. 'This is the first and maybe only time I will do this.' Roberts and her teammates Erica Bilodeau and Travis Cayea felt this was something they 'needed to do' to show support for the athletes of the North Country. 'This is something I have always wanted to do,' Cayea said. 'We always try to participate in events like this,' Bilodeau added. BRINGS THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER According to Jordynne Oshier, founder of Team True to Form, it's all about community. 'The big thing is bringing the community together,' she said. She put the team together 'to be able to do something for the community.' For Victoria LaVarnway, of Team True To Form, the plunge seemed like a fun thing to do while supporting the athletes. 'I did this for the Special Olympics, I think it's so important to support their team,' she said. 'And I thought it would be a fun thing to do.' This was the first plunge held in Plattsburgh since 2019. The Polar Plunge is a major fundraiser for the North Country Region Special Olympic team and the largest fundraising event organized by Special Olympics New York. For more information about the Plattsburgh Plunge visit For more information about the Special Olympics New York visit
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Let the games begin: Special Olympics NY Winter Games holds opening ceremony in Rochester
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Nearly 900 athletes and coaches gathered at the Riverside Convention Center Friday night to celebrate the 2025 Special Olympics New York Winter Games opening ceremony! At 7 p.m., athletes shook hands, mingled and geared up for the competitions, which kick off Saturday at different venues across Monroe County. A little about the state's winter games: All the programs are offered to athletes at no cost to them, their families or caregivers. Athletes will be competing in seven different sports categories, including cross country skiing, figure skating and gymnastics. 'It's been wonderful. It's been over 23 years I've been skating,' said Matthew Gabello, a special olympics athlete and figure skater. 'I've been skating at RIT campus over the years. The Genesee Figure Skating Club at RIT – that's been where I've been competing, working with my private coach.' Special Olympics leaders said the energy Friday night during kickoff was electric. National Engineers Week: An inside look at L3Harris operations 'The athletes get to parade in front of their friends and fans and family and get the recognition they deserve. It really pumps them up and gets them excited for a big day of competition tomorrow,' said Stacey Hengsterman, Special Olympics New York CEO and President. Friday, leaders also announced the winner of the 2024 outstanding coach of the year award, which is given out each year to a volunteer coach from NYS. To learn more about the events this weekend or to donate to Special Olympics New York, an organization dedicated to providing opportunities to folks living with intellectual disabilities, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Volunteer search: Special Olympics NYS Winter Games in Rochester
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — The 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy might be a year out – but folks in Rochester are getting ready to host the 2025 Special Olympics New York State Winter Games. Approximately 900 athletes and coaches from throughout the state will meet in Rochester Feb. 21 and 22 to compete in seven different winter sports, including cross country skiing and snowboarding. With all these different events and venues, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello, Rochester Mayor Malik Evans and Special Olympics New York officials are turning to the Rochester community in search of volunteers. Excitement builds as officials announce a need for volunteers in preparation for this year's 2025 Special Olympics New York State Winter Games. (WROC/Alec Richardson.) 42 games: Local sports reporters talk history with NFL's Super Bowl 'To be a Special Olympics volunteer, you don't have to have sports experience. You do have to like to have a lot of fun, and a big heart. We do need people on the mountain, we need people with timing expertise, snowshoes, timers. We need people to pass out meals, we need people to register our athletes,' said Stacey Hengsterman, the president and CEO of Special Olympics New York. 'It will be the best time you've had; I'm really hoping the Rochester community turns out and decides to volunteer with us.' To learn more, you can click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
