Announcements

Holiday Classic Season

We are nearly halfway through our Holiday Classic sport season, which includes swimming, Unified softball, and skills. Special Olympics athletes are currently training and competing in qualifying competitions. The season will conclude after our Holiday Classic state competition in Las Cruces, November 20–21. Best of luck to all athletes training to compete!

Upcoming Competitions & Events

Holiday Classic

November 20–21

Posole Olé

December 5

Events & Fundraisers

Posole Olé Fun Walk

Save the date: Join us for the 2026 Posole Olé Fun Walk fundraiser on Saturday, December 5, at RGCU Field at Isotopes Park. This festive fundraiser will include a fun walk inside Isotopes Park, plenty of posole, and more!

Visit our Posole Olé webpage to learn more and stay tuned via our website and social media pages for fundraising details coming soon.

Special Olympics New Mexico Golf Classic Recap

On behalf of the 651 Special Olympics New Mexico athletes and Unified partners who participated in our 2026 Special Olympics New Mexico State Golf Competition at Santa Ana Golf Course, the SONM Golf Classic Committee would like to thank you personally for your support and participation in our tournament. 

The weather was perfect, and the company was even better! Our hope is that you enjoyed your time with us as much as we did with all of you! 

We hope you know and understand how much your support means to our athletes and families. The chance to be on a team, feel accepted for who they are and simply have something in life to look forward to makes all the difference in the world to them. Our athletes need us more than ever, and your participation is helping us fill the gap with moments of joy and celebration that no one else can provide.  

Because you played in our Golf Classic, we are proud to report that we raised a net total of $64,000, which is a reason for celebration. We hope you will join us again next year!

2027 Tentative Save the Date: Monday, September 20, 2027 - More details to follow

Congratulations to this year’s winners!

Tamaya/Cheena Course Winners

• 1^st Place: Team With, with a score of 58 - Danoff Law Firm (Ryan Danoff, Brett Danoff, Nick Knee & Rob Portnoy)
• 2^nd Place: New Mexico True with a score of 60 - (Howie Morales, Justin Reese, Tony Garcia & Randy Villa)
• Closest to the Pin Winners: Men: Abe Assaad, and Women: Jazmine Sandoval

Cheena/Star Course Winners  

• 1^st Place: Molly L. Katona, LLC, with a score of 59 - (Ryan Katona, Ron Roeke, Jason Barnes & Jon Jennings)
• 2^nd Place: Team New Mexico, with a score of 61 - (SONM Athlete Shawn Palmer, Scott Hardy, Joe Diz & Darren Palmer)
• Closest to the Pin Winners: Men: Travis Lopez, and Women: No Declared Winner

Star/Tamaya Course Winners (Scorecard Playoff) 

• 1^st Place: Legacy Church with a score of 61 - Legacy Church
• 2^nd Place: Swire Coca-Cola with a score of 61 - (Cleve Kidder, Cesar Grado, Jason Jojola & Troy Sanchez)
• Closest to the Pin Winners: Men: Jason Jojola, and Women: Kathleen Cantwell

Most Honest Award

• Team Rio Rancho Rockets - (Luis Correra Sr., Scot Morin, Ralph Fevig & Joe Graney)

If you stopped by for a team photo during the 2026 Golf Classic, you can download your photo from our Flickr website via the button below.

Kenny Thomas Golf Tournament Recap

On September 12th, the Kenny Thomas Foundation brought together golfers, sponsors, community leaders, and supporters for their 2026 Kenny Thomas Golf Tournament, which resulted in $10,000 raised and a check presentation from the KT Foundation to Special Olympics New Mexico. As a beneficiary of this event, Special Olympics New Mexico extends our heartfelt gratitude to the Kenny Thomas Foundation for their generous support and commitment to raising awareness and funds for our athletes. This meaningful contribution helps advance our mission of providing year-round sports training and competition for over 3,700 children and adults with intellectual disabilities here in our state. 

Sports & Competitions

Letter from Jena

Hello everyone,

After 15 years with Special Olympics New Mexico, I will be leaving SONM.

As I reflect on my time with SONM, what I most want to say is THANK YOU! 

Thank you to our athletes and families for trusting me to be part of your Special Olympics journey. Thank you to our coaches, Local Coordinators, Area Directors, volunteers, officials, staff, facility managers, community partners, and so many others who have given their time, opened their doors, and helped create opportunities for athletes across New Mexico.

There have been countless competitions, long weekends, early mornings, celebrations, challenges, and plenty of last-minute changes. Through all of it, what I will remember most are the people and the relationships built along the way. Watching athletes grow, succeed, build friendships, and experience the joy of sport has been one of the greatest privileges of my career.

I am incredibly grateful for the past 15 years and proud of what we have accomplished together. Special Olympics has shaped me both professionally and personally, and it has been a privilege to be part of your teams, communities, and lives.

Thank you for allowing me to be part of your journey and for being such an important part of mine.

With gratitude,

Jena

Holiday Classic

We are nearly halfway through our Holiday Classic sport season, which includes swimming, Unified softball, and skills. Special Olympics athletes are currently training and competing in qualifying competitions. The season will conclude after our Holiday Classic state competition in Las Cruces, November 20–21. Best of luck to all athletes training to compete!

Traveling to Las Cruces for Holiday Classic weekend? Check out the New Mexico True guide to the southwest region to help plan your trip.

Souvenirs at Holiday Classic

The weather is getting cooler so you'll need a Special Olympics New Mexico jacket or sweatshirt soon! Come see us at the Holiday Classic souvenir table on Friday, November 20 at the Las Cruces Convention Center. We will be selling new merchandise at a few different times and locations including check-in, before Opening Ceremony, at lunchtime by the softball fields and before Closing Ceremony on Saturday, November 21. We will have fleece jackets, hoodies, shirts and earrings. We can’t wait to see you!

Health & Explore Wellness

Pathways to Support Series Recap

Last month, Special Olympics New Mexico wrapped up its first-ever Pathways to Support Series, a four-part event designed to connect families with the information and resources that matter most in the lives of people with IDD. Over the course of the series, families joined us for candid, expert-led conversations on Supported Decision-Making and Guardianship, Medicaid Waivers, Supplemental Security Income, and Finance and Savings Programs. We're so grateful to our presenting partners, including Disability Rights New Mexico, Pregenzer Baysinger Wideman & Sale P.C., The Health Authority of New Mexico, and The Arc of New Mexico, for generously sharing their time and expertise, and to every family who showed up ready to ask questions, share their own experiences, and learn alongside one another.

Based on the responses we've seen, this won't be the last iteration of this series. Stay tuned for more!

Missed a Session? Catch the Recordings on YouTube!

All four sessions from our Family Health Forum series, including Supported Decision-Making and Guardianship, Medicaid Waivers, Supplemental Security Income, and Finance and Savings Programs, are now available to watch anytime on our Special Olympics New Mexico Health YouTube channel. Whether you missed a session live, want to revisit the details, or are just hearing about the series for the first time, these recordings are a great way to catch up on the resources and expert guidance shared throughout the series. 

Join Us for a Project ALL STAR In-Person Fitness Assessment

This October, we're celebrating athletes who joined Project ALL STAR during the Holiday Classic IPFA in Las Cruces in October 2025 and are reaching their one-year anniversary with the program!



Current participants can reconnect with Project ALL STAR at our October 17th event, complete a fitness assessment, and learn about ways to stay engaged. Athletes who are interested in joining can learn more about the program and get started with enrollment.

October Fitness Assessment event:

Join us for an In-Person Fitness Assessment (IPFA) on Saturday, October 17, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Special Olympics New Mexico state office.

This event is a great opportunity to:

• Complete a fitness assessment
• Reconnect with Project ALL STAR
• Get help with your Fitbit, if needed
• Ask questions about the program
• Stay involved and engaged
• Learn more about Project ALL STAR and how to join

Project ALL STAR invites Special Olympics athletes ages 18 and older to be leaders in improving the health of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. By participating, athletes help us better understand how Special Olympics involvement impacts health and well-being over time.

Address: 6600 Palomas Ave NE Albuquerque, NM 87109

Returning Project ALL STAR Athletes:

If you are already enrolled in Project ALL STAR and would like to complete your annual fitness assessment, please contact Rocio Miller by email or phone to schedule an appointment.

Email: rmiller@specialolympics.org

Phone: (202) 824-0249

Interested in joining Project ALL STAR?

Complete our interest form to get started. After submitting the form, Rocio will contact you with next steps. We look forward to reconnecting with returning athletes and welcoming new participants to Project ALL STAR!

Explore Wellness

Overview: The Special Olympics Explore Wellness program introduces athletes and their families to local fitness, health, and wellness partners and resources in our community. For more information about Explore Wellness and any of our activities and events, please contact ben@sonm.org.

Train 4 Life 12-Week Workout Program

Athletes: There's still time to join!

The Train4Life program is open to all athletes ages 13 and older and is a 12-week commitment.

Use the link below to sign up or contact ben@sonm.org for registration details.

We are partnering with MiLeo Fitness & Nutrition (Named Best of Albuquerque 2025), Big Barn CrossFit, Bfit 505 * Burque CrossFit, and Forge Fitness.

The Train 4 Life Program helps:

• Teach functional movement patterns
• Improve mobility, balance, coordination, strength and endurance
• Improve the individual’s quality of life through gains in the areas listed above
• Develop new healthier nutrition and mental health practices through participation in the weekly zoom calls as well as weekly Virtual and at-home workouts
• Build a community and culture that is encouraging and inviting for the group and holds them accountable to their health and wellness goals
• Teach individuals the skills necessary to perform the functional movements in the program to their capacity
• Build confidence in the individual so they feel empowered and able to walk into a fitness facility and workout

Grounded Strength Academy Adaptive Jiu-Jitsu Class in Rio Rancho


Grounded Strength Academy is introducing its first ever Adaptive Jiu-Jitsu Class: Courage in Motion.

Everyone deserves a place where they can learn, grow, and feel like they belong.

Courage in Motion is Grounded Strength Academy’s 6-week Adaptive Jiu-Jitsu program designed for students who may benefit from a more individualized, supportive approach to learning.

This class will meet each student where they are and help them build confidence, coordination, communication, body awareness, and social skills at their own pace.

Details:

• *Only 5 students will be accepted into this first 6-week group so we can preserve the small, supportive environment this program was designed around.
• Starts Wednesday, September 23, 2026
• Cost: $180 per student
• Gi & Belt recommended
• Available for purchase at the Grounded Strength Academy
• Address: 3188 Southern Blvd NE, STE W

Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation Quality of Life Program

The Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation is proud to offer a comprehensive Quality of Life program designed to enrich the lives of physically disabled children through various engaging activities and educational opportunities. The Quality of Life Program offers an extensive schedule of adaptive sports and recreational activities throughout the year.

Each program is intentionally designed to be accessible for a wide range of abilities, giving participants the opportunity to stay active, develop skills, and engage socially in a supportive, encouraging setting.

Each program is led by experienced staff, volunteers or external organizations who tailor instruction, equipment, and pacing to meet the individual needs of participants while maintaining a focus on fun, confidence-building, and personal growth.

Adaptive Sports Include: Archery, Baseball, Boating, Bocce, Cycling, Camping, Dance, Field Hockey, Fishing, Kayaking, Martial Arts, Pickleball, Soccer, Yoga and more!

Special Olympics Fitness App

Check out the NEW Fitness App from Special Olympics available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Explore all the resources the app has to offer, including tracking your exercise, hydration, nutrition and mindfulness, fitness challenges, a leaderboard and access to exercise videos and more! For more information on how to get the app and how you can use it to improve your overall fitness, please email Ben@sonm.org.

Ongoing Explore Wellness

Presbyterian Health Care Service Community Classes

Smart Moves Healthy Families, starting August 11:

The 10-week program is for the whole family, kids ages 8-16 years old (younger siblings

welcome) to build memories together while learning healthy habits, cooking hands-on, and getting active with fun games and prizes. Class meets 2x/week, Tuesday, and Thursday evening. Visit this link to learn more.

Arts Connections



For ALL Abilities! Arts Connections offers Online Adaptive Yoga and Art activities!

New Mexico Law Enforcement Torch Run (NMLETR)

In partnership with

Click below to view the digital True Adventure Guide!

Special Olympics New Mexico Board of Directors

Executive Committee:

Chairman, Dub Girand; Vice Chairman, Warren Ellis; Vice Chairman, Ryan Danoff; Treasurer, Dacia Card; Secretary, Valeria Olave

Board Members:

Randi Bressler, Ron Brown, Jesse Canterbury, Ryan Garcia, Susan Hansen, Chris Hudson, Sara Limon, Nicole Moberly, Art Montoya, Karen Pace, Tom Padilla, Adam Trubow, and honorary board members Jack Eichorn and Mark Wiggins