SOMO is SO Proud!

 

Thank you Coach Chris Ahalt, for getting us the details on our KING: Jack Ahalt, SOMO Athlete and KING of the WMHS Prom:

Jack Ahalt  is a senior this year at Watkins Mill High School in Gaithersburg (at age 21 in the LFI -- Learning for Independence -- certificate program).  He will be graduating as part of the Watkins Mill Class of 2006 on June 7 at DAR Constitution Hall.  He has really been looking forward to his senior year for a long time, and from senior pictures last Summer through Homecoming in the Fall and other events along the way, he has really enjoyed participating in each one

 Watkins Mill held their Senior Prom on Friday, April 28, at the Marriott Hotel at the Rio Center.

Jack went proudly off to the prom on Friday night, and Mom and Dad had the opportunity to attend as quasi-chaperones, and hang out with other faculty in the hallway outside the ballroom.  When the prom court was announced in the latter part of the evening - 8 or 10 young senior class men and similar number of young senior class women - they were called out into the center of the ballroom to be decked out in a sash as all the prom-goers gathered round.  Jack was among those called out, as one of a group of young men and women who were generally otherwise prominent athletes and other well-known, "popular" guys and girls.  Then to much fanfare and drama, the prom king and then queen were announced, and the king was Jack! 

 From the back of the assembled throng, Dad nearly passed out in surprise!  It was a priceless moment!  The assembled group chanted loudly "Jack--Jack--Jack", and then "Ethel--Ethel--Ethel" for the prom queen.  They received a crown and tiara, got their pictures taken, and led the next dance as King and Queen! 

Mom and Dad found out later that once Jack had been nominated (which is amazing in itself) that other nominees who knew him worked out an agreement among themselves and the others, and had basically campaigned for him among all their friends.  It turns out that he was elected by a landslide.  Someone had thought about who it might mean the most to.  What a tribute to the Watkins Mill students!  And from our perspective, to Jack as well.

 

 

Jack Ahalt—King ( continued)

 

Dad, and Coach Chris Ahalt says” It may be hard to imagine this from seeing him in Special Olympics, but in his own way, he is quite a social butterfly.  He has been working the lunchroom and the hall ways for years, as well as his involvement in chorus and theater, meeting people and making connections in whatever ways he can, as limited as they may be.  And so, he apparently has become well known by a lot of people.  That's our prom king!”

 

In the weeks that have followed, Jack has received a number of awards and recognition of his hard work, involvement in his community and perseverance despite challenges ... That’s OUR King! Way to go, Jack!

The Annual SOMD Goose Harbor Fishing  Tournament

will  be held on Saturday July 22nd.

 

Pre-registration is required.

Details available at somd.org.

If you are interested call SOMO Medical Director Carol Halderman at  301 869-6184.