Hi everyone,
I have some good news to start with. My fellow athlete and friend Kaitlin Dykes was nominated and accepted to join the Special Olympics Virginia Board of Directors with me. Having another athlete on the board helps everybody understand what we want to accomplish. Kaitlin can back me up, and now athletes have more voices in the room than just one.
Now let’s talk about Fall Championships, which are coming up soon!
This year, athletes are helping plan Fall Champs for the first time. We met over Zoom in the first-ever Fall Champs Input Sessions and shared ideas about the dance, the Opening Ceremony, the activities, and every part of the event. Each athlete brought their own ideas and also gathered feedback from athletes in their area.
Here is what came out of it. Athletes said they wanted fewer speeches and more fun, so this year’s Opening Ceremony will be shorter and louder. There will also be sensory rooms at the Sports Center and more nutrition and fitness information at every venue and at hotel meals.
It’s good to have this input council because we want to hear what we’re doing well and what we can do better. It’s important to do it from an athlete’s perspective because, well, it’s for us. Athletes know best what makes a great event for athletes.
One more idea from the input sessions is bringing back the dance theme and letting athletes pick the songs. That’s where you come in. Vote for your favorite dance theme (this is for your outfits, not the decorations):
Country, Neon, Retro Throwback, or Alien
You can also share your favorite songs to help build the playlist for the dance on Saturday night.
Vote and share your songs here: https://specialolympicsva.wufoo.com/forms/athlete-input-fall-champs-2026/
We will announce the winning theme on Monday, November 2, and the DJ will play your songs at the dance.
I hope everyone who comes out enjoys Fall Champs. See you there!
Nathon
