Senior Olympics honors line dancers at potluck

Photos and Article by Mary Alice Murphy

On Thursday evening, Sept. 11, 2014, a potluck was held to honor Silver Stompers line dancers who participated in the Senior Olympics in Grant County.

Senior Olympics Grant County organizer Mario Quintana told the Beat the dancers were unable to attend the banquet in August that honored all the participants, because they were particiating in a line dance jamboree in Albuquerque.

Prior to the meal, Quintana presented a medal to Lillian Fernandez who took medals in seven events in various sports.

Quintana said Senior Olympics events are almost year-round, with basketball coming up next month. He said two local Senior Olympics softball teams were participating in a tournament upstate.

"We held a banquet in August to honor participants, but not everyone could attend," Quintana said.

He also told the Beat, he was named Golden Athlete of the Year at the state Roswell Senior Olympics competition.

Quintana also received from Sen. Howe Morales at the banquet, a certificate of appreciation from the New Mexico Senate. He asked that Morales and Rep. Rudy Martinez be thanked for their help. He also thanked the 25 sponsors of the banquet. Guest speakers were Western New Mexico University President Joseph Shepard, Gila Regional Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Brian Cunningham, Hidalgo Medical Services Health Innovations Director Charlie Alfero, Martinez and Quintana.

Two new sports that were popular this year were pickleball and disc golf. "We had 130 local participants and 240 people at the banquet. It's getting bigger and bigger. My goal is to get Grant County really involved for the state competition and the national one. My biggest goal is to bring the state competition to Silver City."

Quintana said the organization is always looking for volunteers.