What an incredible year 2019 has been! We asked everyone on social media to share their favorite moments with us and we got some great responses. Here's what you all shared as your favorite moments of the year:
Nick Johnson
Program: Haverhill Stars
Favorite Moment: "My favorite moment was when me and my brother Brett were featured by the Boston Bruins as their athlete spotlight, getting personalized jerseys and being in the Jumbotron!"
Theresa Jenkins
Program: Hampshire Heat
Favorite Moments: "Celebrating the Gold, Brotherly love style," and "Watching my son Caleb, who has been a partner for 8 years hit a grand slam at the tournament."
Joe Jamros
Program: Shrewsbury
Favorite Moments: "Volunteering for first time in Bocce, Coaching the Unified Basketball and Track team For Shrewsbury High School, Playing in the World Games in Abu Dhabi."
Micah Barshay
Program: Brookline
Favorite Moment: "There is no one moment. The friendships our athletes make each season with some of our Coaches and Unified Partners is just amazing. No other organization does inclusion better."
Ellie Gamache
Program: Special Olympics Massachusetts staff
Favorite Moment: "Watching my mom and brothers do the New Bedford Polar Plunge."
Meghan Wallace
Program: Shrewsbury High School
Favorite Moment: "Attached is a photo of one of the many favorite moments of Unified at SHS this year. In this photo Ryan and Cole, Trevor's partners in Unified Basketball are showing how they learned to communicate with Trevor through sign language this season . Ryan is signing "Good Work" to Trevor in this photo. A wonderful moment that exemplifies SHS Unified in one photo."
Matthew McCarthy
Program: Thrive
Favorite Moment: "Winning the Gold medal at the Special Olympics May Games 2019!"
Liliana Bass
Program: Cape Cod Waves
Favorite Moment: "Returning back to special Olympics after being gone due to several medical issues...Since being back I had lots of fun participating in all the events, Senior Games, Summer Games, bocce. Being back with the Cape Cod Waves. Participating in Special Olympics means a lot to me because I love it and it shows that I overcame my medical challenges. Doing Special Olympics helps me get stronger and I feel great about myself!!!"
Beth Budner
Program: Brookline REC
Favorite Moment: "I'd say definitely our amazing teamwork during our basketball practices last season @ Winsor School in Boston & our Red basketball team winning @ B.C. in mid-March. Ditto for our fun games, tossing the ball to our teammates & coaches."
Daniel O'Donnell
Program: Brookline REC
Favorite Moment: "My favorite favorite moment was taking a picture with my friends Brett and Nick from the Haverhill Stars. Also competing with my friends George & Logan from THRIVE!"
Meghan O'Neil
Program: Nashoba Shooting Stars and Special Olympics Massachusetts staff
Favorite Moment: "There are too many to choose from, but my gym, BFItt:60 in Billerica, decided to start a program with the local Special Olympics MA athletes to work on their health and fitness ahead of Summer Games. I was so happy to be able to combine my passion for Special Olympics and fitness together and especially getting to work out alongside my brother and mom. We were able to spend time with our ski team athletes and family members outside of ski season and develop new skills each week."
Jennifer Walsh
Program: Milford
Favorite Moment: "My favorite moment is watching Zach Landry, who has autism, play a game of basketball without having his hands in his ears. It is such a huge accomplishment for him. When he first started playing Unified Basketball he would play the game in fear of the buzzer ringing and just ran up and down the court without really participating. Now with wonderful coaching and Unified partners who support him, he fully participates and is a wonderful teammate. Pure Joy!"
Meghan Scire
Program: Northeast Arc
Favorite Moment: "My softball."