Newsletter for June 30th

🌟 Thank You, Special Olympics Illinois! 🌟
What an incredible weekend at the 2025 Summer Games!
We are filled with gratitude for Special Olympics Illinois (SOILL) and their outstanding efforts in making this year’s Summer Games such a resounding success. From start to finish, our athletes were treated like VIPs—with every detail thoughtfully planned.

🚍 Seamless Transportation
SOILL provided a full fleet of shuttle buses, ensuring athletes, families, and fans could travel between venues with ease. Whether heading to sports events, the dining hall, or Opening Ceremonies—there was always a shuttle ready. Dorm participants never had to wait, with at least two buses available at all times. No parking worries—just smooth, stress-free transportation!

🎉 A Spectacular Opening Ceremonies'
The Opening Ceremonies were absolutely unforgettable!

• Our athletes proudly participated in the parade of athletes, joined on the field by the Spirit Squad to cheer on teams from across the state.
• The Torch Run was beautiful and inspiring.
• The brand-new Drone Show lit up the sky with a high-tech, crowd-pleasing display!

👏 Shout-out to our Parade Representatives:
Josie Kelly, Ava Lutz, Mia Koth, Terika, and coaches Amanda Lutz.

💙 Olympic Town Presence
The SO Cheer Team not only performed but also hosted a booth at Olympic Town!
Huge thanks to Josie Kelly, Tabitha Kelly, and Louis Kreutzberg for manning the booth all day and sharing our spirit with visitors.

🎤 Athlete Leaders Kennedy Elbe and Amy Schwoebel proudly represented Without Limits - Team Galaxy as leaders for SOILL!

💃 National Dance Success – Addiction Dance Competition (Chicago, IL)
Congratulations to SO Cheer and Without Limits Dance for their incredible performances!
🎖️ SO Cheer Achievements:

• 🏆 Addiction Double Diamond Award
• 🥇 1st Place – Pom Production
• 🏅 Top Overall Award – National Pom Champions

🏆 Without Limits Dance:

• 🥇 Top National Adaptive Studio Award
• 🏆 8-FOOT TROPHY WINNERS!

We also had many title winners and high scorers in solo, duet, and trio performances.
🎉 Congratulations to all dancers who competed and represented Without Limits with energy, passion, and pride!

Thank you to everyone who made this weekend a celebration of inclusion, talent, and heart.
We are so proud of each of you! 💫

💃 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!

• Must RSVP to attend

👥 Finance Committee Meeting - July 14th

• Monday July 14th 6:30-8:30PM
• Will offer both online and in person (details coming soon)

📢 Fun Night Committee Meeting: July 8th

• 7:00pm Swansea Moose
• This committee is made up of parents / guardians / volunteers to help plan our monthly fun nights. All are welcome to attend. We would love to see you there!!

🏃 Jennifer Mueller Memorial 5K Run

• Saturday, July 12th 8:00am St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church
• SO Cheer will be attending for the third year to cheer on the walkers.
• Part of the proceeds will be donated to SO Cheer for their continued support of this walk.

📢 SO Cheer Jersey orders due
Contact Louis Kreutzberg by July 5th

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, 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:
No dance this week:  July 3rd
Next THURSDAY -- 7/10 -- all

• 7/10 -- all
• 7/11 -- Dress rehearsal (location TBD)
• 7/12 -- Recital Saturday @ 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
💻 Pay your dues online via Square link 

👕 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.  

🏅 Athletic Highlights
🤸‍♀️Artistic Gymnastics Results
Kalyn Connolly:  🥇 Gold – All-Around - 🥇 Gold – Beam - 🥇 Gold – Vault - 🥈 Silver – Floor
Alyssa Leuck:  🥇 Gold – All-Around - 🥇 Gold – Floor- 🥇 Gold – Bars - 🥈 Silver – Vault

🏀 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.

📢 Bowling Starting

• Bowling will starts July 13th 6:00PM at the Bel Air Bowl.

⛳ 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
Congratulations to our Tennis Team Athletes at Regionals this weekend!! We brought home many medals and STATE QUALIFIERS!! All those who participated will advance to state.

• NO Tennis practice Saturday, July 5th due to the holiday weekend, next Tennis practice will be Saturday, July 12th Mascoutah High School.
• Tennis State: STATE COMPETITION: All singles, doubles and unified teams will be eligible for advancement to the State Tournament, which will be held in Bloomington on August 16-17, 2025
• Tennis Camp with Dave Lippe @ Edwardsville HS on July 11th from 10 to 11 - Must RSVP

🏈 Flag Football

• Starts July 1 | Tuesdays @ 6PM 
• Practice will be held at large field @ 8012 Savannah Hills Blvd, OFallon, IL
• Be aware of possible weather cancelation due to excessive heat
• ​Regionals: September 28 | Mascoutah

🥎 Softball

• 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

 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!

​
⚽ 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