GMC News
Prep Named Special Olympics Organization of the Year
Georgia Military College was recently chosen as Organization of the Year at the 2010 Area 7 Special Olympics sports banquet. Area 7 is comprised of a 10-county area in central Georgia. Shannon, a 1975 graduate of GMC high school and 1976 graduate of GMC junior college, nominated the school for this special award. In her nomination, she states, “Georgia Military College has supported the Special Olympics program in Baldwin County/Milledgeville for over 25 years. Each year they bring out students to volunteer, who are members of the National Honor Society and Junior Beta Club. The drill team comes out and performs each year also and the color guard posts the colors for the national anthem during opening ceremonies. They do an excellent job. No matter what I ask them to do they are always willing to do it. They come early to assist and stay to police the area in the end. They have also helped with the various events during the games. It is tradition that the cadets are in charge of releasing balloons during opening ceremonies. Georgia Military College students and faculty have always supported the program and the athletes. One year when I did not have a place to hold my local games. I made one call to the President of GMC and told him my situation and he told me not to worry that they could ensure I would be able to have the local games. We held them on GMC’s baseball field, which was new at the time so I felt really honored. They moved in bleachers for us to use, made a ramp for the wheelchair athletes and made sure the athletes had water to drink. GMC saved the day for the athletes. I could not have held my local games that year had they not been willing to step up and help me. They truly give back to the community and the special athletes with their volunteerism. The motto taught at GMC is ‘Character above all.’ This message is exemplified by the students’ efforts in their years of continuous dedication to my program. I cannot put into words how much they have helped me over the years and I am sure will continue to do so. They truly are an outstanding organization for all they have done for Special Olympics athletes in Baldwin County.” Pictured are Shannon New-Diaz, Special Olympics Coordinator, Baldwin County, and COL John Thornton, Principal of GMC Prep School.
