Darryl Nordquist, President/CEO Johna Thum, VP Field Services Julie Briggs, VP Outreach / Unified Champion Schools Turner Gaines, Director Unified Champion City Schools Cade Lyon, Area Director Unified Champion Schools / Sports Haley Zerr, Head of Sports & Competition  Cathy Grubb, Sports Director / Black Hills Area Cody Carlson, Sports Director / Southeast Area Alexia Terrazas, Sports Director / Northeast Area John McHale, Sports Assistant-Data Entry  Michelle Paulsen, LETR Event Manager Izzy Mattecheck, LETR Liaison  Jill Kvanli, Marketing Manager Lane Riedel, Office Manager Nick Mills, Administrative Assistant October 15, 2024 Special Olympics South Dakota Newsworthy: timely. important. interesting. Click Here to let us know if you plan to attend NOTE: The theme for SOSD Staff will be “Things you see at the Zoo”…. Join us! UNIFIED CHAMPION SCHOOLS Growth is possible. From facing challenges to embracing change, Tanner’s journey through @SONorthAmerica Unified Champion Schools shows how the right opportunities can change lives. #BullyingAwareness #UnifiedGeneration Watch Here   SPORTS Applications for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games are now OPEN! The event will be held June 20-26, 2026 at the University of Minnesota Campus. We’re looking for Special Olympics Athletes, Unified partners, Coaches, and Medical. The Coaches and Medical application window closes on November 8, 2024. Athletes & Unified partners application window closes on November 13, 2024 NOTE: The applications published last week incorrectly listed Basketball as a sport. We will be fielding a Traditional Softball Team, not a Traditional Basketball Team. Click Here For Athlete & Unified Partner Application Click Here For Coach & Medical Application Additional Information can be found here State Traditional Bowling Volunteers Needed November 1-3 Village Bowl, Aberdeen More than 500 bowlers and 300 coaches from all over of the state head to Aberdeen to compete in Traditional Bowling. You will be assigned a set of two lanes to supervise. Your main responsibilities would be to ensure the athletes bowl in the correct order and record scores at the end of each game. Register to Volunteer State Unified Bowling Volunteers Needed November 9-10 Meadowood Lanes, Rapid City Athletes and Unified partners from all over of the state head to Rapid City to compete in State Unified Bowling. You will be assigned a set of two lanes to supervise. Register to Volunteer HEALTH & FITNESS In this health series, we will give you 3 easy weekly tips for getting and staying healthy and fit. Why 3 tips? Well, if you’re old enough, you already know that Three is a Magic Number. WEEK 5 1. Take Naps Sleep deprivation can affect all aspects of your life: your diet, your workouts, your stress, etc. Don’t feel guilty about squeezing in a short nap to help your body recharge. A 30-minute nap or even an extended rest period of laying down (without a nap) have been found to improve alertness and performance.   2. Keep reasonable expectations Look for chances to be more active during the day. Walk the mall before shopping, take the stairs instead of the escalator or take 10 to 15 minute walking or activity breaks while watching TV or sitting. Don’t get discouraged if you stop for a while. Get started again and gradually work up to your old pace. Don’t exercise too vigorously right after meals, when it’s very hot or humid, or when you just don’t feel up to it.   3. Avoid people and things that stress you out Identify stressors in your life and try to keep a distance. It’s not always possible to do, but removing anything causing you stress is an improvement. If the stress can’t be removed, can it be improved? Brainstorm ways to reduce these stress points in your day-to-day life. You can always ask for help too! Your friends are good resources to ask about how to approach these issues. IN OTHER NEWS START YOUR SPECIAL OLYMPICS JOURNEY HERE If you are new to Special Olympics South Dakota and looking for a Delegation, or if you are interested in changing your Delegation, Click Here to get started! This link can also be found on the SOSD website. New Directions invites you to join us for a spooktacularly fun evening! Teens and adults of all abilities are welcome to come for a Halloween themed dance, pizza, and indoor games!   October 26, 2024 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm   Hilton Garden Inn Sioux Falls 5300 South Grand Circle   Click For Details Join us for fun and community 3•21 Fun & Friends is a social group for families with young children, ages 0-10, who have a disability in the Sioux Falls area. Join our monthly meetups in the Special Olympics South Dakota Unify Center to socialize, play, and build a community.  These meet-ups will be free of cost, in a setting where children can play with their peers and parents can connect. If you are reading this and wondering if this group is for you, it is! We hope you’ll come to our next meet-up. Check us out at www.321FunandFriends.org or find us on Facebook! NEW Athlete Registration Process Special Olympics has made significant changes to its athlete registration process, transitioning from the Athlete Medical Form to a more streamlined system comprised of the Athlete Registration Form and Renewal Form. This change makes the registration process easier for athletes and families by removing the barrier of getting a physical examination prior to participation. The Athlete Registration Form still ensures that essential health information is collected, and the Renewal Form provides annual updates.   Please visit our website for more information. Click Here for your 2024 Dance Themes ATHLETE HANDBOOKS Fall Sports Bocce Handbook Softball Handbook Bowling Handbook January meeting minutes February meeting minutes March meeting minutes April meeting minutes May meeting minutes June meeting minutes July meeting minutes August meeting minutes