Friends We've Made

Athlete Danny Dasis and Airmen sponsors giving us "The Look" (one of my favorite photos!)	Maria and Brigadier General Roosevelt Mercer, Jr. (Commander of the 81st Training Wing)
The Victory Dance, with athlete Willie Green	A special thanksto Janie Allen, Helen Parrish and the entire staff of Special Olympics Mississippi! We enjoyed our 2nd visit with your athletes, and look forward to many more associations with you! I think we've adopted each other!

Opening Ceremonies, Auburn Univ. Stadium	Maria and superb singer Zebulun, who did a fantastic performance
A winning athlete with a winning smile!	Powerlifting competitors
Victory Dance	"Elvis" performed at the Victory Dance
Thanks to Dr. Bob Bushong and the staff on our first event for Special Olympics Alabama. We made so many new friends, and look forward to returning!

Maryland Special Olympics
2001 Summer Games
Cole Field House, College Park, MD
June 8, 2001

Some photos just before Opening Ceremonies	Excited group of athletes	Danny and Kevin Booth, with singing athlete, James Sewell
Photo with Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Founder of Special Olympics	A motivation speech by Sargent Shriver	Eunice Kenedy Shriver is surprised by athletes helping to celebrate her 80th Birthday

On August 13, 2000 Maria and Danny were honored to be part of a
performance with "THE MIRACLES" at The Baddour Center, Senatobia, Mississippi.

The Baddour Center is home to "The Miracles" singing group. They learned Maria's song, "You Are The Flame" and did an outstanding performance with her.

David Trivett, accomplished pianist, has been at the Baddour Center for 21 years. He has perfect pitch and can play any song, with or without sheet music. His un-rehearsed accompaniment with Maria on "How Great Thou Art" was superb!

Maria Rose, Chris Burke, and Kevin Booth	Kenny Deckelman, Danny Elswick, Chris Burke and Kevin Booth
Chris Burke doing his Elvis impression	During our workshop at NDSS Convention

MARYLAND SPECIAL OLYMPICS SUMMER GAMES
Opening Ceremonies
University of Maryland - Cole Field House
JUNE 2000

WMAR, Channel 2 sportscaster, Keith Mills, Maria, and St. Marys County singing athlete, James Sewell

James, Maria and Officer Dotson, Baltimore City Youth Choir Director

Sharing a special moment with Maryland's athletes

Display created by students of Duckworth School in tribute to "You Are The Flame" ... what an honor!!	Activities at Challenge Day
	Lydia Flynn, Principal, Maria and students

MISSISSIPPI SPECIAL OLYMPICS
STATE SUMMER GAMES
Kessler AFB, Biloxi, MS
May 2000

Opening Ceremonies

Danny and Gold Medal Athlete Danny Dasis

EVENTS: The travels we've had and people we've met because of our organization has made 1999 an exciting year. Performances have included the Very Special Arts Festival at the Avalon Theatre in Easton, Maryland.

Special Olympics performances covered several states, including a first time visit to Houston, Texas. After the Closing Ceremonies and Victory Dance, Maria hopped on one of the buses for a last minute photo.

In Michigan, Maria shared the stage with TV celebrity, Chris Burke, who has appeared on "Life Goes On", and "Touched by an Angel". Maria with 2 of the 3500 athletes of Michigan's Summer Games, Central Michigan Univ.

The Summer Games in Richmond, Kentucky was a short, but very warming trip. Maria's shown with two athletes who stayed by her side and helped her with passing out photographs.

At home for the Maryland Summer Games, Maria's shown with some of the athletes and others who recorded "You Are the Flame". Ceremonies was held in Cole Field House at the Univ. of MD, College Park.

The 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games Sailing Regatta was held in the beautiful surroundings of St. Mary's County, MD. Maria performed "You Are the Flame" for the Opening Ceremonies. Later in the week, she had the chance to meet and chat with Mark Kennedy Shriver, who is in the House of Representatives in Montgomery County, MD.

A filming of a talented group of athletes and Special Education students from the Lower Eastern Shore took place in Ocean City, MD. They sang several songs, and look forward to participating with "PerformAbilities" in a future concert.

The Greater London Special Olympics Games were held in Sept. 1999, and Maria and Danny took part in the Ceremonies and Awards events. Maria was introduced by a real "Town Crier", (photo 9), is shown with two London area athletes, (photo 10), and was given a special plaque by the Mayor and Mayoress of Enfield, England. (photo 11)

"PerformAbilities" was given it's first opportunity to show what it's all about at the annual Awards Banquet for Maryland Special Olympics. St. Mary's County athlete James Sewell is shown with Maria as he performed "My Girl" and received a standing ovation from over 200 attendees. (photo 12) James is a talented singer who performs in church and other special events, holds two jobs, and was one of the 12 athletes who helped Maria record "You Are the Flame". He is the pioneer performer for "PerformAbilities", and will always be welcome to show his singing talents at future concerts and events with the organization. A big thanks is extended to Mary Lou Bucci, director of St. Mary's County, MD Special Olympics, who was essential in giving us the opportunity to meet James and know his talents.
Giving an incredible speech during the banquet was York County, PA athlete Loretta Claiborne. Her motivation, determination and sincere words completely captured the entire spirit of Special Olympics. (Loretta, Maria and M.C. Rick Gesue) (photo 13)

The Winter Games for Texas Special Olympics took place at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Shown is Maria reaching out to an athlete as she performed in the Opening Ceremonies. (photo 14) With over 3,000 athletes, coaches and attendees, it's the first time Maria's performed in an airplane hangar! Maria and Danny took in the sights of San Antonio, including the Alamo and the beautiful Riverwalk.

1999 was an incredible year for "PerformAbilities". The organization has numerous goals, and looks forward to a new year to meet and feature the many talented disabled performers around the world.

After a few days in Baltimore to catch up on everything we missed the past three weeks, we headed to Los Angeles, California for the Summer Games. Hollywood, Beverly Hills and the surrounding areas were great sites to see.

Special Olympics of Southern California arranged our stay at Barnabey's Hotel in Manhattan Beach.

We were invited to Farmington, WV for the Marion County Special Olympics. Maria sang her song and presented some medals to the athletes. A special thanks to Sally and Mark Anderson for their hospitality and the pepperoni rolls.

In March, we were in Colonial Heights, VA, at the Swift Creek Baptist Church, where Maria sang 'You Are The Flame' as 12 Special Ed students did it in sign language. This was a very heart-felt moment as the church choir also sang along with Maria. We met a lot of very nice people that treated us as part of their family.

Virginia Winter Games '97, Wintergreen Resort, January, 1997 (Dave Ballard, events director and Virginia Foster, President), June 7, 1997, Summer Games '97 Closing Ceremonies in Richmond, Virginia. Fall Games '97 at Patrick Henry High School in Richmond VA.

West Virginia Winter Games '97, Opening ceremonies w/Air National Guard 130th AG, Canaan Valley, January, 1997 (Tom Wilson, events director and Carol Robinson, ceremonies) Fall Games '97 at South Parkersburg High School in Parkersburg WV.

North Carolina Spring Games '97, Wilmington, April, 1997 (Kathy Kiddleson), May 30, 1997, State Summer Games, Walnut Creek Amphitheatre, Raleigh, (Keith Fishburn, events director and Kathy Kiddleson, ceremonies)

Labor Day Weekend, 1996, marked the biggest event Salisbury, Maryland has ever seen. The entire weekend was dedicated to the Special Olympics, and we performed on Saturday, August 31 at the beautiful Centre at Salisbury. Then on Sunday, September 1, the Arthur Perdue Stadium hosted Michael Bolton.