Mission Consolidated Independent School District's Adapted Physical Education Teacher/Special Olympics Coach, Diana Cremar and Mission High School Athlete, Adrian Rodriguez were recently honored by Area 1 Special Olympics at the Area Bowling Tournaments held at Incredibowl in Mission, Texas on November 16th, 2017.
Ms. Cremar has been an adapted physical education teacher/ Special Olympics Head of Delegation /Coach for Mission CISD for over 27 years. She was previously honored in 2001 as the Coach of the Year for Area 1. Ms. Cremar has participated in many area and state competitions, and has also coached at two Special Olympics World Games. In 1994 one of her athletes received the State Award for Female Athlete of the Year. She has been instrumental in implementing the following programs in the district:
The Young Athlete Program, (a sport and play program for children with and without intellectual disabilities ages 2 to 7)
The Motor Activity Program, ( designed for athletes who are unable to participate in official Special Olympics sport competitions because of their skill and/or functional abilities.)
Meet in the Middle, is a unique program that promotes acceptance and inclusion between students with and without intellectual disabilities in schools. Participants team up to promote advocacy, acceptance, friendship, fitness and sports opportunities
Unified Sports, allows athletes to participate in sports activities with peers without disabilities
The Athlete of the Year recipient, Adrian Rodriguez, is a student at Mission High School. He is enrolled in the 18 plus program /community based instructional program. He has been a part of Special Olympics for more than 5 years. He participates in five sports: Bowling, Bocce, Powerlifting, Basketball and Track and Field. He has participated locally in over 25 area games and three state games where he has acquired many medals. Adrian loves sports so much, that when he is not involved in Special Olympics he is involved in Capable Kids Sports Program. Adrian is a very happy athlete, always full of life, with a pleasant personality. He loves a challenge and loves to pose for pictures. Adrian is also very active in the RGV Downs Syndrome Association.
The Coach of the Year Award is awarded annually to an active certified Special Olympics coach who has met several criteria, particularly for having made a significant and demonstrable impact on local Special Olympics Programs and Area 1 (Rio Grande Valley).
The Athlete of the Year Award is awarded annually to an athlete who has been active 3 or more years in Special Olympics, a true winner who gives his or her very best, while displaying outstanding courage and sportsmanship in athletic competition and has participated in area, state games. Currently there are more than 300 registered coaches and 5000 athletes in Area 1 Special Olympics.