SOMO News
Missouri Association of Student Councils Celebrates 25 Years of Friendship
What started as a way for youth leaders in Missouri to volunteer their time and learn about inclusion 25 years ago has grown into a relationship between Special Olympics athletes and their peers in hundreds of schools across the state.
This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the partnership between The Missouri Association of Student Councils (MASC) and Special Olympics Missouri. To celebrate the 25 years of friendship, MASC held a celebration during their State Convention on March 11 at Platte City High School.
The theme for the celebration was “Stand With.” MASC stands with SOMO to:
• Promote inclusion and accept in their schools
• Volunteer an average of 12,000 hours a year across the state
• As Fans in the Stands at local, area, regional and state events
• Serve in leadership roles on Games Management Teams and Plunge Committees
• Raise funds to support the 15,000 athletes – since 2009 when MASC started making the Plunge their primary fundraising opportunity – they have raised $939,287.85. By 2017, in less than 10 years, they will easily reach the $1 million mark!
Here’s a video that MASC made to celebrate our 25-year friendship.
“Let the celebration continue!” Terri Johnson, MASC Executive Director, says. “MASC feels a sense of pride and accomplishment when we can share we’ve been a SOMO partner for 25 years! From the beginning, our goal was to provide opportunities for our schools to volunteer, but it has grown into so much more. From developing friendships to finding ways to advocate for inclusion and acceptance and assisting with fundraising, our goals have widened. MASC is proud to “Stand With” Special Olympics Missouri! We cherish the opportunity to be a partner and feel our membership has learned the importance of what it means to be a friend to those with intellectual disabilities. We plan to continue our partnership for many years because we realize together we can inspire greatness, serve others, be more and lead!”
Thank you MASC. We are proud to be your friend and partner in making the world a better place for all!