2009 World Winter Games
Nine Special Olympics Southern California athletes will join up to 3,000 athletes from more than 100 countries as participants in the 2009 World Winter Games being held in Boise, Idaho, Feb. 7-13, 2009. The World Winter Games we first held in 1977 and are held every four years. Visit www.2009worldgames.org for more information.
In addition, the World Winter Global Torch Run will make its last stop in Southern California before proceeding to the Games in Idaho. Visit our Global Law Enforcement Torch Run page for more info.
Meet our Special Olympics Southern California World Winter Games Athletes and Coach Janet Higley-Reade!
Manasa Iyer - Snowshoeing
13 years old
Cerritos, CA (Southeast Los Angeles Program)
Manasa Iyer has been with Special Olympics for six years is very excited about attending the World Winter Games. Special Olympics has changed her life because she had made new friends and meet new people. Manasa says “It’s a lot of fun, and I’ve gotten better at sports since I was little.” Attending the World Games is meaningful to Manasa because her friends at school and people she knows are cheering her on. Overall though, she wants to have fun and make her dad proud. She is outgoing and cheerful and likes reading fashion magazines and Hannah Montana. Other sports that Manasa participates in are swimming and soccer.
Brittany Kulic – Alpine Skiing
18 years old
Redlands, CA (Greater San Bernardino Program)
Brittany Kulic is representing Southern California in Alpine skiing. She has been involved with Special Olympics for three years and has also participated in basketball, bowling, and softball. Special Olympics has changed Brittany’s life by teaching her how to be a team player and increasing her self esteem. She says that Special Olympics “showed that I had the ability to accomplish what I set out to do and helped me to become a more confident person.” Attending the World Games gives her another opportunity to do the best she can, whether she wins or not. In her spare time Brittany enjoys reading and drawing.
James McGoff – Cross Country Skiing
24 years old
Long Beach, CA (Long Beach Program)
James McGoff has been with Special Olympics for five years and in addition to cross county skiing has participated in bowling, aquatics and athletics. His coach says James personifies team spirit and he keeps everyone motivated. James graduated from high school and is attempting to learn new skills so that he can qualify for a job in the community. Special Olympics has not only strengthened his body but has also taught him communication skills and how to set goals. James feels it’s a privilege to be selected to represent Southern California and is happy to be able to attend. For hobbies, James enjoys music, watching wrestling, going to the beach and going to the mall.
Samuel Mesa - Snowboarding
48 years old
Norwalk, CA (Southeast Los Angeles Program)
Samuel Mesa is an all-around athlete with an outgoing personality and who displays great sportsmanship. He has participated in Special Olympics for 30 years and in addition to snowboarding, he participates in basketball, bocce, golf and softball. Sam says that through Special Olympics he has made lifelong friends and it showed him that he can do anything as well as anyone else. Attending the Winter World Games means he is “Part of a big family. We can show the world that we are much more than people see or think we are. We know team spirit and share our losses and wins as one spirit.” Sam is very independent, traveling to practices on his own and having held several jobs. Sam’s hobbies include collecting sports caps and model cars and trucks.
David Saunders - Snowboarding
18 years old
Long Beach, CA (Long Beach Program)
David Saunders is a talented athlete who has participated in many sports including snowboarding, aquatics, basketball, bowling, softball, and volleyball. He works as a courtesy clerk at Stater Brothers supermarket and attributes Special Olympics to helping him make new friends. He looks forward to the World Winter Games where he will have an opportunity to meet other athletes from other countries. He is most proud of doing his best in all sports but especially swimming a 400 meter race. David is honored to be named to the team and representing the City of Long Beach. His favorite hobbies include music, sports and being with his friends.
Lesley Stone – Cross Country Skiing
48 years old
Vista, CA (San Diego County Program)
Lesley Stone has participated in Special Olympics for 35 years and says Special Olympics “is her life.” She has excelled in aquatics, basketball, bocce, bowling, equestrian, gymnastics, volleyball, cross county skiing, floor hockey, soccer and snowshoeing, winning medals and ribbons in all sports. Special Olympics has changed her life by making her more competitive and social and gives her something to look forward to all the time. Lesley is very proud to be a Special Olympics athlete and is very excited and interested in what World Games will be like. Her interests include weaving, photography and playing the piano.
Patricia Trujillo - Snowboarding
20 years old
Fallbrook, CA (San Diego County Program)
Patricia Trujillo is new to Special Olympics but that hasn’t stopped her from excelling in snowboarding. She loves Special Olympics because it has given her an opportunity to do things she never thought she could do and also meet people, learn a sport, gain confidence and have fun! Patti sees being part of the World Winter Games as a very special thing and hopes to do well in competition.
Marisa Watkins - Snowboarding
14 years old
Santa Clarita, CA (Santa Clarita Valley Program)
Marisa Watkins says that Special Olympics changed her life because of all the dedicated coaches who helped her improve her coordination and are so enthusiastic for her. Besides snowboarding, Marisa also participates in softball, volleyball, floor hockey and soccer. She feels it is a big accomplishment for her to be part of the World Winter Games and is looking forward to meeting people from all over the world.
Max Young – Alpine Skiing
18 years old
Redlands, CA (Greater San Bernardino Program)
Max Young is an 18-year-old Alpine skier who has been involved with Special Olympics for two years. He likes Special Olympics because he has a sense of accomplishment and it makes him feel proud and gives him confidence. Participating in the World Winter Games is a special achievement for Max as he has never been out of state and will be a big journey for him.
Janet Higley-Reade
Figure Skating Coach, La Mesa, CA (Special Olympics San Diego Program)
While Janet has attended the World Winter Games in Alaska (2001) and Japan (2005) as a spectator, this is her first time accompanying Special Olympics Southern California athletes as a coach. Her responsibilities as a coach for World Winter Games are taking care of and coaching four figure skating athletes (three from Washington State and one from Michigan). Janet is excited about attending the Games because she will get to work with so many great athletes from all over the United States and throughout the world. Coaching Special Olympics athletes is fulfilling for her and she loves to see her athletes succeed at something they never thought they could accomplish.