Special Olympics South Dakota Newsletter

September 30 2025

It’s not Thanksgiving… it’s bowling season! Join us for all the fun!

Oct 9th Northeast Area Unified Watertown

Oct 10th Northeast Singles Aberdeen

Oct 10th Black Hills Area Singles Rapid City

Oct 11th Black Hills Area Unified Rapid City

Oct 11th Southeast Singles Sioux Falls

Oct 12th Southeast Unified Sioux Falls

Get your programs Here

Attention Winter Sport Athletes:

We are giving away ski helmets and goggles. If interested, email Johna

Hurry… we have a limited supply

Cleveland has been officially declared the host city for the 2030 Special Olympics USA Games.

Harrisburg High School recently voted Mareth and Rob (both students with IDD) as their 2025 Homecoming Queen and King!

Congratulations to Mareth, Rob, and the Harrisburg student body.

What was the first thing that came to your mind when you were announced the 2025 Harrisburg Homecoming King/Queen?

Mareth: The first thing that came to my mind was happy and surprised.

Rob: My family can attest to the fact that I was convinced I wasn’t getting King. So, the first thing that went through my head was “Nah, ain’t no way”, followed immediately by “Oh, I am going to have to prep a thanks for the 15,000 people congratulating me, huh?”.

How does it feel be King/Queen?

Mareth: It feels great to be the Homecoming Queen.

Rob: I’m certainly very honored, but there wasn’t much in the way of new responsibilities, so it was hard to really see it as “important”, per se.

What would you tell the lower classman, middle school, and elementary students about chasing their dreams to be the next King/Queen?

Mareth: Tell younger kids to follow your dreams – work hard, be yourself, be nice to people you meet.

Rob: I still remember when I sat my dad down in 6th grade and asked what I should do. All he said was “be yourself”. I know that sounds cheesy as all get out, but it is genuinely the best path.

IN OTHER NEWS

Click for details

Special Olympics has teamed up with Little Words Project on a limited-edition Champion Bracelet!

25% of proceeds go directly to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota!

Wear “Champion” proudly and show your support for our athletes’ journey to USA Games.

They will be available for purchase starting tomorrow at 9:00 AM CT!

Purchase the Champion Bracelet

Get your Team South Dakota Fan Gear today!

You can browse the various items available in our online store and cheer on Team South Dakota during the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota!

Team South Dakota Store

HEALTH & FITNESS

SONA Move Challenge: Download the NEW Special Olympics Fitness App Today

The SONA Move Challenge will run from October 13-December 8, 2025. Athletes will download the NEW SO Fitness app to track progress, stay motivated and celebrate wins.

This 8-week challenge follows the Fit 5 + Healthy Minds goals:

Exercise 5 days a week

Eat 5 servings of fruits & vegetables daily

Drink 5 bottles of water every day

Practice strong mind exercises 5 days a week

SONA Move is open to all athletes, but for USA Games athletes, it will also serve as part of the USA Games Athlete Fitness Training Program. This will help athletes prepare, stay motivated and perform their best in Minneapolis.

Once the app is downloaded to your smartphone, you will be automatically registered for this Move Challenge. Sync your wearable fitness device to the app by clicking on Explore > Wearables.

Click To Register

SPORTS

ATHLETES:

Click Here for your Bowling Handbook. To rock the lanes you must know your Bowling rules!

Volunteer Opportunities

Please join us for the Northeast Area Bowling Tournament on October 10th for some volunteer opportunities! You can click the link below to register. For more information, please get in touch with Michele Zahn at michele.zahn@yahoo.com.