Nine Special Olympics North Carolina (SONC) athletes became official spokespersons for the organization after they successfully completed the SONC Global Messenger Training, held August 7-8, at the SONC headquarters in Morrisville, according to SONC President/CEO Keith L. Fishburne.
The Global Messenger program is one of several athlete leadership programs offered by Special Olympics through which athletes can demonstrate leadership skills outside of sports. In the two-day training, athletes learn facts about Special Olympics and how to make an effective presentation. As part of the training, athletes created their first speech and presented it to the group.
As Global Messengers, Special Olympics athletes recruit other athletes and volunteers, and give public education presentations that allow them to share the personal impact Special Olympics has had in their lives. Global Messengers are available to make presentations about Special Olympics in communities across the state.
To schedule a speaker, contact SONC Senior Director of Marketing and Communications Katie McGhee at kmcghee@sonc.net or call 980-280-5273.
The following athletes are new Global Messengers for Special Olympics North Carolina:
Harvey Alvarenga of Wake County
Greg Butler of Wake County
Niesha Coleman of Polk County
Trenton D’Agostino of Watauga County
Lana Foster of Clay County
Shelby Hadas of Guilford County
Matthew Novak of Cumberland County
Preston Strouth of Harnett County
Brett Troutman of Iredell County
Individual photos are available upon request. Please contact Katie McGhee.
About Special Olympics North Carolina
Since 1968, the organization has used the transformative power of sports to improve the lives of children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Nearly 53,000 athletes (individuals with intellectual disabilities) and Unified partners (individuals without intellectual disabilities) in North Carolina inspire thousands of coaches, sports officials, local program committee members and event organizers involved in Special Olympics statewide. SONC offers year-round training and competition in 20 Olympic-type sports on local and state levels as well as health and wellness initiatives to improve the health status and increase access to community health resources for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Youth become agents of change through Unified Champion Schools, an education and sports-based program created by Special Olympics to build an inclusive environment among youth with and without intellectual disabilities as well as empower them to become youth leaders and create change in their community. Engage with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.
