Newsletter for JunE 23

🎉 Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games 2025: A Roaring Success!
Over the weekend, WLTG had more than 50 athletes competed, supported by a number of coaches, assistants and families, making this years Summer Games a joyous, but very hot event.  Unfortunately, a number of outdoor athletic events and activates were canceled mid-day Saturday as the temps soared into the mid-90s.  

• The Rhythmic team showed up at the competition ready to have fun and compete and that is exactly what they did. 8 Gold, 6 silver, 3 bronze, two fourth and a seventh place. They were amazing.
• The Swimming team was amazing and came home with a number of medals and ribbons.  A huge thank you to everyone for an amazing year!
• View all of the Summer Game Results (page 483 to 487 is WLTG results)
• View our Photo Album of all the fun!!
• Post Event Survey
  
  

💃 Fun Night - July 11th
The WLTG All-American Picnic will be held Friday, July 11, 2025 at 6pm at the Moose Lodge in Swansea Food, Games and Music! Come join us!

📢 Finance Committee Meeting - July 14th

• Monday July 14th 6:30-8:30
• Will offer both online and in person (details will be available shortly)

Theater Practices Schedules:
🎭  Seussical Theater – Rehearsals & Show Info 
📍 Venue Confirmed:  O’Fallon First United Methodist Church
504 E Hwy 50, O’Fallon, IL (across from the high school)
🎬 Show Date: Saturday, July 19, 2025
🕛 Showtimes: 12:00PM & 2:00PM

📆 Rehearsal Week at Venue: Tuesday, July 15 – Friday, July 18
🕕 6:00PM – 8:00PM (Each evening)
📌 Note: No practice on Monday, July 14
More details will be shared closer to that week.

📅 Weekly Rehearsal Schedule
Saturday, June 28 @ 10:30AM – Pages 52–56
👥 Cast Needed:

• Mayzie
• Horton
• Gertrude

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Saturday, July 5 @ 10:30AM – Pages 56–61
👥 Full Cast Called – EVERYONE

Saturday, July 12 @ 10:30AM – Final Scene Review
👥 Full Cast Called – EVERYONE

👕 Show Shirts Available Now!

• White Short Sleeve T-Shirts with Seussical logo on front and cast names on the back
• $18 (Youth–XL), $20 (2XL), $21 (3XL), $22 (4XL)

📧 To order: Email [email protected]
💳 Pay by check (to Ellen Schwoebel) or Venmo (@schwoebels)

📢 Reminder: Please be respectful of the venue property and note that backstage space will be limited. The church is excited to support our production—let’s show our gratitude!

Dance Practices Schedules:

• Schedule for the next couple of weeks
  • THIS THURSDAY -- 6/26 -- all
  • No dance 7/3
  • 7/10 -- all
  • 7/11 -- Dress rehearsal at studio
  • 7/12 -- Recital @ 2 pm!
    
    

🩰 "I Feel Like Dancin'" Recital:
📅 July 12 @ 2PM | Christ Church – Scott Campus
​Date & Time:  

• Please arrive at the recital venue at 1PM on July 12
• Recital will begin promptly at 2PM, Saturday July 12

Venue

• Christ Church, Scott Campus
• Entry will be donation ONLY

Costume

• Everyone will wear their provided costume for both TAP & JAZZ
• Hip Hop is jeans (or leggings) and a t-shirt
• Solo / Duo costumes should be the ones worn for competition

Hair & Makeup

• Long hair is in a high, slicked back ponytail
• Short hair should be just out of face

Video / Pictures

• Please take as many pictures and videos as you like
• Please no flash or audio clicks

💲 Membership Dues – 2025
If you’ve been contacted by Marcia, please complete your payment.
💻 Pay your dues online via Square link or bring a check to your next practice.

👕 WLTG Merch Store – Now Open!
Check out our updated merchandise with the new logo!

⚽ Sports Updates & Opportunities

With the extreme heat effecting sport schedules this week, please check your email, Facebook or contact your coach directly before you leave for any practice or event to confirm it is still happening.  

💃 Gymnastics

• Artistic Gymnastics: Sundays 9–10AM | Gateway Elite, Fairview Heights
• Rhythmic Gymnastics is now over!  Thank you for a great season!

🏀 Coaches & Volunteers Wanted
We're expanding! Join us to support athletes and meet coach-to-athlete ratio goals.
✅ No experience needed—training provided.

📅 Coach Training – July 16
Special sessions for Basketball, Volleyball, Bocce, Track, and Softball. Great opportunity to get certified!

📌 Sports Practice Info
Requirements to Participate in WLTG Sports:

1. WLTG membership
2. Registered in the Special Olympics Digital CoE Portal
3. Completed WLTG Waiver & Release

💡 Questions? Contact Amanda Lutz or Ellen Schwoebel.

⛳ Golf

• Golf is canceled for Thursday, June 26th | Orchards Golf Course
• Be aware of possible weather cancelation due to excessive heat
• Regionals: August 1
  📞 Contact: Jeff Elder | 314-780-1696

🎾 Tennis

• No Tennis practice this Saturday June 28th
• Tennis Camp with Dave Lippe @ Edwardsville HS on July 11th from 10 to 11 - Must RSVP

2025 Region J Tennis Regional – Event Info & Updates
As we gear up for the 2025 Region J Tennis Regional, please note that athletes will only compete in their Singles events at Regionals. Doubles and Unified events will take place at the State Tournament in August.

📅 Event Details

• 📍 Date: Sunday, June 29, 2025
• 📍 Location: Evergreen Racquet Club Inc. -- 3203 E Washington St, Bloomington, IL 61704
• 🕗 Registration: Begins at 8:30 AM at the main entrance
• 🎉 Opening Ceremonies: 8:50 AM on Court 3
• 🏁 Estimated Completion: Around 4:30 PM
• 🚗 Transportation: Each agency is responsible for arranging transportation

🥇 Awards & Amenities

• 🏅 Awards: Medals and ribbons will be presented immediately after each division wraps up. Awards will take place on the 2nd-floor spectator area.
• 🍴 Lunch: A boxed lunch will be provided for all athletes, unified partners, and coaches.
• 🥤 Concessions: No concessions will be sold, but vending machines are available onsite.

🏆 Advancement to State Tournament
All singles, doubles, and unified teams are eligible to advance to the State Tennis Tournament, scheduled for August 16–17, 2025, in Bloomington.

⏱️ Match Timing Reminder
Please be aware of the updated Time of Play rule:

• All matches are scheduled in 1-hour blocks.
• 50 minutes of court play per match (including a 5-minute warm-up).
• 10 minutes are allotted for player transition between matches.
• The 50-minute timer starts at the beginning of the warm-up period.

We're looking forward to a great day of competition, teamwork, and sportsmanship on the courts. Good luck to all of our athletes—let’s serve up a fantastic day!

🏈 Flag Football

• CANCELED DUE TO HEAT  - Tuesday , June 24
• Starts July 1 | Tuesdays @ 6PM | Location to be announced shortly
• Be aware of possible weather cancelation due to excessive heat
• Co-Host Game: July 18 | Edwardsville (with Texas-based program)
• Regionals: September 28 | Mascoutah

🥎 Softball

• CANCELED DUE TO HEAT  - MONDAY JUNE 23
• Mondays @ 6PM | Mascoutah HS
• Regionals: July 26 | Springfield
• State: September 6 (if qualified)
  📧 Contact: Jenn for questions

🏐 Volleyball

• Begins July 9 | Wednesdays @ 6PM & 7PM | Leu Civic Center

 To Register:

• Please email [email protected] with:
• Athlete's name
• Shirt size
• Age
• Indicate whether you're registering for Competitive or Skills volleyball
•  You may also contact Sonji directly at 618-250-2962 or 618-960-5280

 More details are available at:
 https://www.withoutlimits-teamgalaxy.com/volleyball.html
🧢 Help us pick the shirt design! 

🏊 Sharks Swim Team

• The 2025 Season is now complete!
• Thank you Sharks!  See you next year!

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⚽ Soccer

• The 2025 Season is now complete!
• Thank you!  See you next year!

🏃 Track & Field

• The 2025 Season is now complete!
• Thank you!  See you next year!

🎯 Bags / Cornhole
🎉 Summer tournament coming soon! Stay tuned.

📢 Organizational Leadership Update
We’re announcing a leadership transition:

• Amanda Lutz has been appointed as the new SOAD. Amanda will lead:
  • Athlete registrations
  • Center of Excellence (CoE) Portal
  • Coach certifications
  • Event coordination
  • Communications with Special Olympics Illinois
• Mari Seper will lead the WLTG Sports Committee, assisting Amanda with program planning and execution.

🙌 Please join us in welcoming Amanda and Mari into their new leadership roles!

🤝 Get Involved
🧢 Want to join a committee, volunteer, or just ask questions?
📧 Email us: [email protected]
📱 Follow us on Facebook for real-time updates