Your favorite moments of 2019!

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

Nick and Brett Johnson at the Bruins game
Nick and Brett Johnson at the Bruins game

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

Brotherly Love
Brotherly Love

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

Gamache Family at Polar Plunge
Family at Polar Plunge

Program: Special Olympics Massachusetts staff

Favorite Moment: "Watching my mom and brothers do the New Bedford Polar Plunge."

Meghan Wallace

Students communicating using ASL
Students at Shrewbury High School communicate using ASL

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

Liliana Bass returns to Special Olympics
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 ODonnell and friends
Daniel ODonnell and friends

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

Zach Landry and Milford basketball
Zach Landry and Milford Unified basketball

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

Meghan Scire and her softball team
Meghan Scire and her softball team

Program: Northeast Arc

Favorite Moment: "My softball."

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

Nick and Brett Johnson at the Bruins game
Nick and Brett Johnson at the Bruins game

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

Brotherly Love
Brotherly Love

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

Gamache Family at Polar Plunge
Family at Polar Plunge

Program: Special Olympics Massachusetts staff

Favorite Moment: "Watching my mom and brothers do the New Bedford Polar Plunge."

Meghan Wallace

Students communicating using ASL
Students at Shrewbury High School communicate using ASL

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

Liliana Bass returns to Special Olympics
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 ODonnell and friends
Daniel ODonnell and friends

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

Zach Landry and Milford basketball
Zach Landry and Milford Unified basketball

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

Meghan Scire and her softball team
Meghan Scire and her softball team

Program: Northeast Arc

Favorite Moment: "My softball."

label

Articles related

Text Link
Against All Odds: Macey Auger's Inspiring Journey from Adversity to Triumph at the 2024 Boston Marathon

Macey Auger embarked on the 2024 Boston Marathon with calmness, ready to advocate for inclusion during her 26.2-mile journey. However, her resolve was tested when a sudden knee injury threatened to derail her race at just 5 miles in.

Text Link
Helping Others Go the Xtra Mile: Regina Robinson empowers new friend at Boston 5K

Josiah and Regina from Special Olympics MA welcomed new friend Cathy into their Boston 5K group, supporting each other to the finish line. Regina went back to help Cathy finish, demonstrating the power of inclusivity and support!

Text Link
March was Madness for One Cape Cod Program

Special Olympics MA teams saw excitement on the court this season, especially the LIFE program which trained over 50 basketball athletes across four different teams!