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2011 Leadership Conference Print E-mail

2011 Leadership Conference and Awards Banquet 

The Annual Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Leadership Conference, designed to provide ongoing training and recognition for Special Olympics athletes and volunteers, was held from December 3 – 4, 2011 at the Harrisburg Hilton Hotel.  This year’s event afforded attendees an opportunity to assess progress with respect to the organization’s current strategic plan, and lay the foundation for the development of the next strategic plan. 

The Conference also recognized those individuals and programs that help to make the program possible during an Awards Banquet.  This year’s award recipients are as follows:Matt_Samantha_Weitz_Valerie_Pritchett__Matt_Prosek_Tony_Gillespie

  • Management Team Member     of the Year - Deborah Kocher of Bethlehem City
  • Unified Partner of the Year - Aiden Feeney of Bucks County
  • Family of the Year - The Talavera Family of Bethlehem City
  • Volunteer of the Year - Michael Weise of Blair County
  • Coach of the Year - Lee Persky of Berks County
  • Manager of the Year - Lisa A. Malago of Fayette County
  • Program of the Year - Fayette County
  • Athlete Leadership Award - Steven Kucey of Bethlehem City
  • Female Athlete of the Year - Marlena Riley of Bedford County
  • Male Athlete of the Year - Joshua Tice of Lebanon County
  • Torch Award - Allegheny County

SOPA Leadership Award recipients were chosen by a statewide panel of business and community leaders representing both the private and nonprofit sectors. Nominations come from local Special Olympics programs throughout Pennsylvania.

  Pictured above:  Matt Aaron, SOPA President and CEO; Montgomery County Global Messenger Samantha Weitz; ABC 27 News Anchor Valerie Pritchett; Centre County Global Messenger Matt Prosek; and 2012 incoming Board Chairman Anthony Gillespie.  Weitz, Pritchett and Prosek served as awards banquet co-emcees. 

 

Marlena_Riley_Bedford_County        Joshua_Tice_Lebanon_County   

Pictured above:  SOPA President and CEO Matt Aaron and 2012 incoming Board Chairman Anthony Gillespie are pictured with 2011 Female and Male Athletes of the Year, Marlena Riley of Bedford County and Joshua Tice of Lebanon County. 

 

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