Krista Elezian
Female Athlete of the Month
Krista has been involved with Special Olympics Colorado since she moved to Colorado in June 2016. She plays baseball with the Parker Power team, swims on the Cherry Creek Aquatics Team, bowls on the Douglas County Team and also participates in figure skating. One of her favorite memories is when Parker Power won first place at the State Games last month in Colorado Springs!
Beyond sports, Krista has worked for Cherry Creek School District in the before and after school program for the last two years.
She also has a 3-month-old Golden Retriever puppy named Kelton who she is training and loves playing with him. Congrats on being the Female Athlete of the Month, Krista!
Tim Miner
Male Athlete of the Month
Tim has been involved with Special Olympics Colorado for 28 years. He is involved in skiing, basketball, track, swimming, soccer, softball, tennis, bocce, flag football, volleyball, and bowling.
Tim’s favorite part of SOCO is being a part of the Athlete Leadership Program. He said, “It made me a better leader and being part of the athlete input council is my favorite part of Special Olympics.”
In his free time, Tim likes to hang out with his friends and family.
Brenda Laartz
Coach of the Month
Brenda is in her second year of coaching and started the Longmont adult tennis program in 2018. After a very successful first season, Brenda has doubled the size of her team, The Racqueteers! She is a dedicated coach and mentor to all of her athletes, partners, and assistants.
Congratulations, Brenda, on being the September Coach of the Month!
The Hogg Family
Family of the Month
Paula Hogg was involved with Special Olympics as a volunteer coach in Nebraska. She stayed involved when she started teaching special education in Colorado. Currently, Paula provides support with the Unified Sports Program at Brighton High School.
Her sons, Sam and Josh, participate in the Young Athlete Program and have competed in basketball, track, bowling, and other sports at state competitions. “At this point, they don’t really care about the ribbons or medals, but I can see on their faces that they are PROUD of what they have accomplished. There is no greater feeling as a parent,” said Paula.
Paula explained that Special Olympics Colorado has allowed them to make connections with other families. It has also given them a place where she and her husband, John, feel that their boys are accepted for who they are!
Wendy Scott
Volunteer of the Month
Wendy has been volunteering for Special Olympics Colorado for four years. Wendy’s friend told her he has been able to make great friends and participate in many different sports, including the Unified Rapids Soccer Team.
“I enjoy volunteering because I know that I am supporting an amazing organization. Seeing the faces of the athletes having fun and participating in events where they may not traditionally be included, truly warms the soul. Special Olympics does so much to ensure athletes that want to participate have that opportunity. Who wouldn’t want to support such an amazing organization?”
Thank you, Wendy, for all that you do for Special Olympics Colorado!
Verizon Wireless
Community Partner of the Month
Verizon Wireless is one of Special Olympics Colorado’s newest Annual Sponsors! They support SOCO year-round, as well as supporting different events throughout the year. Recently, they were the Departure Lounge Sponsor at the Plane Pull in August. They even had a team and pulled the plane for an impressive 10.156 seconds, coming in 3rd place among the Technology Teams.
Coming up, Verizon is sponsoring a table at Hall of Fame and will be an Innovation Lab Sponsor at the 2020 Polar Plunge Series in Denver, Boulder and Aurora.
Thank you, Verizon Wireless, for supporting Special Olympics Colorado as an Annual Partner and congratulations on being named the Community Partner of the month!