Project UNIFY - Special Olympics Oklahoma

Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day
September 24, 2011
Cathi Morris, SOOK Program Services Director; Chris Paynter, SOOK athlete; Governor Mary
Fallin; Heather Hancock, SOOK athlete; and Curtis Boyer, Area Management Director for
Boomer Sooner Area.
2011 Global Messenger Class
In July 2011 Special Olympics Oklahoma hosted a seminar for new
recruits to the Athlete Leadership Programs Global Messenger corp.
Five athletes and their mentors attended the seminar held July
29th and 30th. Besides presentation and speech writing skills, the
group spent a lot of time learning about the facts and mission of
Special Olympics. These athletes and mentors were very excited
about the opportunity to educate people about Special Olympics,
and it didn’t take long for them to start making speeches. Since
July all of the new Global Messengers have made at least one
speech. The seminar was led by Cathi Morris, Program Services
Director and Melanie Gross, a member of Toastmasters International
and parent of Special Olympics athlete Becky. The seminar was the
first training held in the newly renovated meeting space at the
state offices in Tulsa.
Global Messenger Mentors: (back, left to right) Fawn Riddle, Maegan’s
mentor; Laura Benham, Erin’s mentor; Brenda Newton, Cynthia’s mentor;
Stephanie Gilbert, Steve’s mentor; and Greg James, Jennifer’s mentor.
Global Messengers Class of 2011: (front, left to right) Maegan Riddle, Pauls
Valley; Steve Sposato, Vinita; Jennifer Horton, Broken Arrow; Erin Henke,
Guthrie; and, Cynthia Newton, Newalla.
Governor Mary Fallin signed a proclamation naming September
24, 2011 Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day in Oklahoma.
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