West Point Special Olympics Spring Games

The flag was flying overhead early Saturday morning as a crisp wind blew off the Hudson. First light illuminated the athletes gradually appearing on the sprawling West Point campus. Like stars slowly appearing at dusk, first one or two, then a handful and then, seemingly in an instant, blanketing the night sky.

The day marked the 2015 Special Olympics Spring games at West Point Military academy. An event highlighted as much by the athleticism and unwavering spirit of the participants as by the pomp and circumstance rolled out from West Point cadets and commanding officers. Swimmers, sprinters, shot putters, javelin throwers and relay teams from all over the State met to engage in the sacred tradition of the Olympic competition.

First the parade of athletes; Teams assembled in tight formation to march around the track as scores of cadets, friends and family members roared in approval. The Sharks were resplendent, replete in full team regalia, American flag pins secured tightly to their costumes and flags sporting 50 stars, 50 stripes and the red , white and blue flapping proudly in the wind. We are Sharks and we are patriots.

Opening ceremonies continued with the national anthem, dedications to soldiers lost in foreign conflicts, recognition of our athletes, all ending with a spectacular sky diving show from the West Point jump team. With the sound of the horn the Spring 2015 games had begun.

The Sharks took to the water quickly with purpose. They had been training all season for this apex event and it showed. Shark team members dominated in every event they entered- 25 meters, 50 meters, backstroke, breast stroke and topped off the day with an all Sharks relay race.

There cannot be enough said about the cadets who were paired up with our athletes. The aspiring Army officers took to our Sharks like old friends, encouraging them every step of the way. There was genuine interest in our athletes, families and staff from these young leaders.

Douglas Campbell had a break through day competing and completing the 25 meter and 50 meter freestyle event. The crowd cheered him the entire way through. Ryan Urquhart had an amazing showing sporting some personal best times at the 50 meter free- 38.26 and the 25 meter free- 16.58. Scoring a gold for both races. Swimmer Liam Cadigan also had a fantastic day in the pool by receiving recognition for both his 25 meter backstroke and 25 meter freestyle.

The Sharks rolled up deep to West Point. Toting 24 competing swimmers, the Sharks far exceeded the number of swimmers from any other team there. All 24 swimmers have something to be proud of from this past Saturday. The determination was visible in every event they competed in.  A season of hard work paid off tenfold at West Point.

Atlantis Marine World

On Sunday, April 26^th, 2015 the South East Consortium took a trip to visit Atlantis Marine World (Long Island Aquarium) in Riverhead, NY.  The day was filled with a guided tour of the aquarium.  SEC participants viewed many aquatic animals such as the harbor seals, sharks and live coral reefs,  as well as the Japanese Snow Monkeys, American Alligators and the Butterfly exhibits.  The hands on exhibits were the hit of the day as TJ Marchese got up close and personal feeding the birds.  Nikita Afanasiev enjoyed unearthing Fossils in the Lost City Of Atlantis Exhibit. Maggie Towers enjoyed the touch tank with a starfish and all the participants enjoyed feeding the stingrays and manta rays in the Ray Bay pool.  After the aquarium we enjoyed lunch and Applebees’s.  

Sunday Excursions on The Ride!

Last Sunday April 19th the Sunday Excursions group hopped aboard the Metro North train bound for NYC! Once in Grand Central Terminal we ate lunch at Juniors, and it was delicious! After lunch we headed to the shuttle to take us to Times Square where we boarded "The Ride".

The Ride is a bus tour that uses NYC and it's iconic landmarks as the backdrop for a theatrical tour. The bus itself is like a  traveling theater that is designed with coliseum seating and framed in glass to make the street the stage. It was a super cool experience and everyone had a blast! We ended the tour with Brad signing "New York, New York! 

Teen Adventure at the Bronx Zoo

Lions, Tigers and Bears! Oh my! Perfect weather and perfect company make for a great day at the Bronx zoo. The teen adventure crew loaded up on the bus and drove off to the heart of the Bronx to see one of the best zoos on earth.

The young adventurers gathered at the South East Consortium offices for a picnic on the front lawn overlooking the Long Island Sound before they set off on their trip. Some lazed on the picnic blanket, others sat at the picnic table while other put their feet up on the bench. All in attendance soaked in some sun and enjoyed the company.

The zoo was alive and buzzing with activity. First stop: the seals. On the first hot day of the spring we could not help but be a little jealous of these playful aquatic mammals chasing each other through their watery world. The crowd of people surrounding the seal enclosure were not short of ohhhhs and awwwees as a new addition to the seal family glided effortlessly alongside the older members of his pod.

Next up were the piere david deer who were also enjoy some water fun albeit much muddier. The deer  were very active and close up as they wallowed in the shady shallow waters. Several stags were working on shedding their winter antlers by rubbing against trees.

The mid-day sun proved too much for the tigers. The extent of their activity was swatting their tails as they lay snoozing under a tree. Regardless there is not much more impressive in the animal kingdom then the exquisite Bengal tiger. Weighing up to 500 lbs. this apex predator can run up to 35 miles per hour and eat 60 lbs of meat in one night.  We were glad to be on the other side of the fence. With only 2,500 of these gorgeous animals left in the wild it is always an honor to see one (even if its just catching some zzz’s.)

The Grizzly bears were the main event of the day. These ferocious animals were very active enjoying their mountain top enclosure. The four bears were running, swimming and even wrestling each other on their hind legs to the cheers of the crowd watching.

With all the excitement the adventurers need a water break themselves so we headed to Africa for some shade, some water and a view of the plains replete with lions, thompsons gazelles and some peacocks who did not care for fences and walked right across our paths.

It was a great day; good exercise, perfect weather, awesome animals and good friends. The teen adventurers waved goodbye to this sprawling gem of conservation and education in the Bronx and are already looking forward to their next adventure together.

SEC Toga Party

On Saturday April 18th South East Consortium held a Toga Party and so many people came dressed the part! It was a fun night filled of dancing, hanging out with friends and enjoying the sounds of DJ Mike!