FLICKR!!!

Hey Athletes and Fans!
Make sure you check out the official Flickr of the Villanova Special Olympics Fall Festival to see pictures from the weekend!
The link is below :) We hope you are having an amazing time and good luck at your competitions today!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/101285252@N05/

GET EXCITED!

Tomorrow starts the 25th Anniversary of Villanova Special Olympics Fall Festival! Committee is so excited for the athletes to arrive, we cannot wait! A huge thanks to everyone working so hard to make this weekend successful and A HUGE WELCOME TO ALL THE ATHLETES AND COACHES!
ONE MORE DAY!

Athlete Spotlight: Meet Liz

MEET LIZ

Age: 37
County: Delaware County - Wildcats
Sport: Soccer.  Liz is a goalie.
Position: Athlete Representative on Fall Festival Committee.
When she got involved: Liz started Special Olympics when she was 14 years old. She became a part of the Villanova Fall Festival Special Olympics Committee, when Katie now the director of the 2013 Fall Festival approached her. Liz gladly accepted the position. 
Favorite Part of the Committee Meetings: Liz loves hearing and watching the committee members at work.
Favorite Part of Fall Festival Weekend: Being with friends and dancing at the victory dance.
Proudest Accomplishment: Winning medals. Liz has over 200 medals, which she displays on the walls in her apartment. Last year her soccer team won gold.
Other Activities: Liz's works at Swarthmore College.
Practices: Liz has practice Wednesday nights with her soccer team.
Fun Facts: Liz has one brother, one sister and a niece and nephew as well as dog Hadley! 

Athlete Spotlight: Meet Shana

Athlete Spotlight: Meet Shana!  
                                                                                                      

County: Delaware County
Age: 25
Sport: Volleyball, Swimming
How Shana got Started: Shana has been involved in Special Olympics for nine years! 
Favorite Part of Fall Festival: Shana's favorite parts of Villanova Fall Festival are O-Town, Opening Ceremonies, and seeing all of her friends!
Fun Facts: When Shana is not participating in a Special Olympic practice or competition she loves hanging out with her girlfriends. They have girls nights sleepovers! Shana has one nephew she loves to play with. Shana works at the YMCA when not practicing for Fall Festival!
Proudest Accomplishment: Winning a Bronze Medal in volleyball!

Meet our Festival Director Katie Bonnell

Age: 22

Major: Nursing

How did you become involved in Special Olympics? What motivated you to be Festival 

Director? My brother Gregory, who has Autism, is a Special Olympic Athlete. I became involved by accompanying him and my dad to his practices and just joining in. I learned to swim while at his SpO swim team practice, so I was immersed in it from a very young age. Once I was old enough, I was able to travel with the team to state competitions and assistant coach at practices, where I grew to love the athletes even more! Seeing the athletes come alive both on the court and off is inspiring to me and keeps me so involved in the organization and living the mission! When I came to Villanova, it was a natural fit for me to be so involved with organizing and leading the largest student run Special Olympics event! 

What is your favorite memory or experience from Fall Festival?

My favorite Fall Fest memory would be the Fall Fest after my dad passed away.  He was the assistant coach for my brothers Volleyball team and they had qualified for Fall Fest and watching them win the gold and the emotional response from the athletes, the families, and everyone around was incredible. Their coach told them to win it for my dad and I feel like my brother really took that to heart and played his heart out with everything he had. To witness that, as a student, sister, and committee member involved in SpO was truly a once in a lifetime experience.

What’s one thing you are looking forward to this year as Festival Director? 

Besides seeing my brother win the gold and the athletes having the best time of their lives, I am looking forward to seeing the student body, the committee, and the surrounding community come out and support the organization and the athletes. To see the committee members who have worked so hard to put on this great event and to see them really enjoy themselves and be proud of their work and thanking them for all of their great work will be really rewarding for me!

What other clubs or organizations are you involved with on campus? 

While this is my main commitment and leaves me little time to do other things, I am a member of the Student Nurses Association of PA and I go out and support all of the arts and theater events around campus! 

Some fun facts about yourself: My claim to fame is that I have never had a Facebook, which people tell me is cool, but I might have to cave once I graduate. 

Any additional comments about Special Olympics: It truly has been at the heart of my experience here at Villanova. There is no other organization on campus where I could get the experiences and form the relationships I have with SpO and I feel truly blessed to have been so involved from the start! Thank you to all of the committee members, athletes, coaches, volunteers, and families that make this weekend so great! 

4 Days and Counting!

Committee is hard at work, getting ready for Fall Festival this weekend!
It is not too late to volunteer. Head to Specialolympics.villanova.edu and click "Volunteers" for ways to get involved. 

Get excited for the best weekend of the year!

Check back tomorrow for a new update!

Athlete Spotlight: Meet Michael!  
                                                                                                       

Age: 41
County: Delaware County
Sport: Long Distance Running, Floor Hockey, Bowling and Horseback Riding
How Michael got Started: Michael has been involved in Special Olympics since he was eight years old! One of his favorite Special Olympics memories was when he ran a 5K race in Washington D.C.!
Favorite Part of Fall Festival: Michael's favorite parts of Villanova Fall Festival are the opening ceremonies and seeing all his friend that he has made over the years through Special Olympics. 
Fun Facts: When Michael is not participating in a Special Olympic practice or competition he loves working outside. This summer he swam at the Wildwood Beach a lot! Michael has 1 brother.