Special Olympics: Students bowl to victory at The Great Place

FORT CAVAZOS, Texas - Over 170 athletes from eight delegations, representing school districts around the area, participated in the annual Texas Special Olympics Area 12 Bowling Competition Friday and Saturday at Phantom Warrior Lanes at Fort Cavazos.

The Fort Cavazos Exceptional Family Member Program, or EFMP, collaborated with the Special Olympics to bring teams from eight different school districts - Killeen, Belton, Temple, Lampasas, Salado, Midway, Academy and Waco - to the installation for the two-day event. The first day was for students while the second day was for community teams of adults with special needs.

"This is an outstanding event and a wonderful opportunity for our youth with special needs to demonstrate their bowling skills and compete," said Col. Lakicia Stokes, U.S Army Garrison-Fort Cavazos commander during the opening ceremony. "To every athlete, thank you for your hard work, your commitment, your dedication, your passion (and) your strength as you represent your school in competing here today. You are all champions with a competitive spirit, and you make this event so special."

The ceremony also included a relay of a torch to start off the competition, held by Veronica Bienvenu, 17, and Command Sgt. Maj. Loyd Rhoades, U.S. Army Garrison-Fort Cavazos command sergeant major, and an inaugural bowl from Stokes and Rhoades.

After, the teams kicked off their games, the sounds of falling pins, rolling bowling balls, shouts and cheers and applause filling Phantom Warrior Lanes. Medals for first, second and third were given after each game.

One participant, Dante Williams, 15, from Killeen Independent School District, loves bowling.

"Playing (and) strikes," he said when asked what he liked about the sport, noting he had bowled two strikes.

Another participant, Kamylah Martinez-Batiz, 15, also from KISD, said she liked the competition and was making friends. Martinez-Batiz won her first game with a score of 86, her first-place medal clutched in her hand as she spoke.

"There was a lot of improvement based off where (the students) started from, and we've got kids that were struggling with the mechanics, and now they've got it down, and we're knocking down pins," said Caitlynn Moniz, a coach for KISD.

Leona Streater-Moore, EFMP coordinator, said the event was a heartwarming success, seeing a lot of support and love.

"Everybody seemed to have a great time, and that's what we're here for, to play the game, to have skills … but to also enjoy each other's company," she said. "What is heartwarming is just to see the joy on everyone's faces, especially the athletes, on the lanes … and then you have family members and all the support coming out to help (the athletes) enjoy their day as they bowl. They do have bowling skills, too."

EFMP provides support to family members of active-duty Soldiers, Army Reserve Soldiers in the Active Guard Reserve Program and Army National Guard personnel serving under authority of 10 USC or 32 USC, with any physical, emotional, developmental or intellectual disorder that requires special treatment, therapy, education training or counseling that meet eligibility criteria.

While the program provides resources to families, Streater-Moore noted it also works to bring events, workshops and support groups for them.

One parent, Miesa Bland, an Army spouse of Master Sgt. Michael Cantrell Bland Sr., 1st Medical Brigade, said she loves events like the Special Olympics Bowling Competition. Her two children, 9-year-old twins Caitlyn Bland and Michael Cantrell Bland Jr., have sensory processing disorder and a speech delay.

"We love events like this that are all inclusive," she said. "It just gives the kids something to look forward to. They've been practicing for a few months and now their hard work - we're seeing it.

"My daughter - she's having a good time, and that's what it's all about," she added. "Even if the ball goes in the gutter, it's about teaching them to be able to regulate their emotions and then try again."

Miesa's twins have been enrolled in EFMP since they were 3, and it's been beneficial, Miesa said.

"It helps us, especially going from one duty station to another," she expressed. "They make sure that you are at a duty station where your kids can get those services, and you don't have a delay in service because anytime, even if it's a six-week delay or a few months delay, that can make (the children) regress, and that's not something we want.

"I love the program because it makes sure that we're in an environment where our kids can succeed," she continued.

Streater-Moore said EFMP tries to help in any way it can.

"We help them to … have quality programs and activities so that they can enjoy activities," she said. "They can enjoy life, period."

For more information, visit the Fort Cavazos EFMP office located on the second floor of the Shoemaker Center, or call 254-287-6070.

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