Surrounding oneself with a community of never-ending support is a perfect way to spend a weekend. Special Olympics New Mexico’s Holiday Classic was held in Las Cruces from Nov. 14-16, welcoming athletes of all ages and expertise. This three-day sporting event elevated the spirits of athletes, supporters, and team members.
Competitions were held for free for the public to attend each day of this event. On Thursday and Friday, Special Olympics athletes from middle and high school competed against one another in cornhole. When Saturday came around, athletes were competing in not only unified cornhole, but in basketball and health screenings as well.
These tournaments were filled with igniting enthusiasm from athletes and supporters alike. Rebecca Evans, Director of Unified Champion Schools, said this energy is nothing out of the ordinary. Evans stated that this event is always an amazing way for the athletes to get out of their comfort zone and get to know others, as it provides a place for people with and without disabilities to test the limits of their habitual environments.
“I think as these guys get more involved in the community and more engaged, more people learn about what they’re doing and how amazing they are,” Evans said.
Testing boundaries and forming bonds seemed to be unifying themes of the Holiday Classic. One volunteer and coach, Lori, from Rio Rancho, said her brother has been competing in SONM for quite a while, which has helped him grow.
“It has kind of been a blessing to our family, because he is now more socially involved, and his mannerisms are a lot better,” Lori mentioned. “Really, it’s improved a lot.”
Many family and team members mentioned how Holiday Classic has been a life changing experience for their loved ones. One mother, Crystal, said that this event has made her son feel less secluded, even outside of SONM.
“These guys build on their skills every year and build on those friendships and build on their sense of community, and their sense of purpose in life, is — it’s huge — and it’s an amazing reason to come to work every day.” Evans said.
When it comes to growing up and being involved, it is oftentimes more difficult for those with intellectual or physical disabilities than it is for those without. Because of discrimination or misinformation, individuals with disabilities often don’t receive fair treatment.
This eye-opening and inspiring sporting event created a welcoming space where everyone could learn not only about themselves, but also about others. Randy Mascorella, Executive Director at Special Olympics New Mexico, said the amount of inclusion that takes place at SONM events is exactly why she began her journey in Special Olympics.
“My introduction to Special Olympics came in the 1980s. I was coaching women’s basketball at Iowa State University,” Mascorella shared. “I saw a very wide range of ability levels and a very wide range of disabilities which I had never seen before, and by the end of the weekend, I had made the decision that I would always volunteer for Special Olympics.”
Mascorella shared how empowering it has been over the years to watch these athletes play and engage in sports and communities. She also highlighted the importance of another competition held only on Saturday — the health screenings.
She mentioned that medical care has grown tremendously since the 80s. When healthcare was more limited, those with intellectual and physical disabilities weren’t receiving proper care. Because of this, Special Olympics began incorporating health screenings to promote proper care for the athletes. In the 90s, the organization began to provide teeth screenings, and from then on, they’ve added checkups for eyes, ears, and feet. Fostering the health of athletes, the Holiday Classic encouraged all athletes to participate in the screenings and ensure that they can perform to the best of their ability.
“We work hard to do everything we can to prioritize their health and their wellness so they can have a good sports experience,” Mascorella said.
SONM Holiday Classic highlighted building teams, promoting friendships, and prioritizing health. Over 800 athletes encompassed the treasures that Holiday Classic brought about, and with the encouragement of teammates and viewers, expectations were surpassed and valued.
“Historically, not only as a nation but as a world, we have not included the world of intellectual disability anywhere,” Mascorella emphasized. “In my opinion, Special Olympics has done more to change that than any place … in the entire world.”
