SUMMER, 2020 …. A Summer Like No
Other
Newsletter: Vol. 4, No. 1 –
August, 2020
SUMMER SPORTS EDUCATION CAMP -
VISUALLY IMPAIRED ATHLETES GO VIRTUAL Just as the MOBALE board was gearing up with plans for the 2020 SEC, New
England shut down as COVID-19 struck. It seemed that the SEC would have to be
cancelled but everyone put their heads together and came up with a VIRTUAL SPORTS CAMP. Six athletes came to “Zoom” camp
for three mornings and got to know each other through ice-breaker and social
activities. SEC volunteers lead the athletes in strengthening exercises, yoga,
and karate. On the last day, they participated in balance and endurance
challenges. A special guest, Mark Lucas,
president of the USABA, joined the group and talked about and answered
questions about the many and varied types of athletic activities that blind and
visually impaired participate and compete in throughout the country including
water skiing and biathalons, a sport that combines Nordic skiing and target
shooting with a rifle!
A HUGE
THUMBS UP and thanks to Alicia Stevens, for all her hard
work to organize and monitor all the “Zoomers” throughout the event. Thanks
also, to the many volunteers who ran the activities and cheered on all the
athletes. CONGRATS to all the athletes, who
did a great job keeping up their spirits for this unique event. AWARDS WENT TO:
Strongman: Donovan Casse, In the Zone: Sam Cassellius, Most
Enthusiastic: Liam Marchesi, Karate Kid: Ben Shamberger, Team
Captain: Kayla Giroux, Parent of the Year: Zach Johnson. YOU TOOK IT ON AND GOT IT DONE!
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: Sydney
Mason

Every
year, athletes are asked what their favorite activity is at the SEC, and karate
is always high on the list. For the past, 9 years, 17 year-old Sydney
has volunteered at the SEC,
starting out as camp photographer and gopher. But for the last 3, she has been
our martial arts Sensei, which means
“teacher”. At age 5, inspired by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Power
Rangers, Sydney began karate lessons. Now, after years of hard work, she is a
second degree black belt in Kempo Karate, black belt in Korean Sword and blue
belt in Jiu-Jitsu and has won numerous awards at competitions all over New
England. “When I teach people with
visual impairments, it makes me think really deeply about all of the moves…I
have to use my words at all times”. It is a challenge because Sydney usually
relies on students observing and replicating what they see her doing to learn
positions and moves. Virtual camp brought a greater challenge in that she could
not provide physical help to the athletes. She also got a little taste of what
it is like not having visual cues, because she could not see the athletes on
her screen. This year was “definitely different…I relied completely on the
other volunteers”, Sydney remarked. Karate is very accessible to people with
visual impairment and SEC athletes are inspired by Sydney’s dedication to the
sport and her high expectations for them to learn and achieve. And, she is
their most enthusiastic cheerleader! An unquestionably worthy role model and
tireless helper, we are proud to honor and award Sydney Mason, the MOBALE SEC 2020 Volunteer of the Year.
Best of Luck in college!
MANY
WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE: YOU can help MOBALE continue to offer sports education camps…
*MOBALE partners with Hannaford CLYNK, bottle return. Contact Michelle at 207-208-6354 for labels.
*Quick and easy donations can be
made online with PAYPAL
*Send a check to: MOBALE SPORTS - 899 Middlesex Rd - Topsham, MAINE
- 04086
STAY IN TOUCH WITH MOBALE….
LIKE US on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MOBALEMaine/
WEBSITE: www.mobale.org EMAIL: MobaleSports@gmail.com
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