Athlete Leadership
Adam Hays Represents SOMD in Paris 2026 Preview
On May 27, 2026, SOMD athlete leader Adam Hays was invited by Special Olympics International to the French Embassy to serve as a moderator for “Partners in Diplomacy: Advancing Inclusion…
Read MoreBrave X: Monique Matthews
In 2019, Monique Matthews shared with us about “Breaking Boundaries.” Now she’s back to share with us how she is overcoming unexpected challenges with that same “I know I can”…
Read MoreAthlete Leadership Council (December 2025)
Our Athlete Leadership Council had its year-end meeting and holiday gathering on December 6th. They had a two-hour agenda (see below) planned, which included me asking them about President Trump’s…
Read MoreZoee Flacks’ Health Messenger Profile
Zoee Flacks is an athlete from the Baltimore City program. She participates in swimming, kayaking and bowling. She is a member of Team Maryland and will swim at the 2026…
Read MoreClaire Potter’s Health Messenger Profile
Claire is an athlete from Baltimore County who competes in Alpine skiing, kayaking and tennis. She attended the World Winter games in March of 2025 and won medals in Alpine…
Read MoreBriasia Moore’s Health Messenger Profile
Briasia Moore is a Special Olympics Maryland athlete representing Baltimore City. The sports Briasia plays include Soccer, Flag Football, basketball, bocce, bowling and swimming. Briasia wanted to become a health…
Read MoreNick Jennings Corrales’ Health Messenger Profile
Nick Jennings Corrales is a Special Olympics Maryland athlete from Montgomery County the sports that he does are alpine skiing, soccer, swimming, and bocce. The reason Nick became a health…
Read MoreSam Smith’s Health Messenger Profile
My name is Spirited Sam from Montgomery County. The sports I play are ice hockey, soccer, softball and distance running. I decided to be a Health Messenger because I am…
Read MoreHannah McNiece’s Health Messenger Profile
I am Hannah Mae McNiece. I started Special Olympics when I was 8 years old in Illinois where I grew up. I did Basketball, Bowling and Track and Field. We…
Read MoreCorissa Anderson’s Health Messenger Profile
Corissa Anderson is a certified Zumba and first Aqua Zumba certified instructor with Down Syndrome. Corissa graduated from UMBC 4 year SUCCESS program where she also gained experiences as an…
Read More