Special Olympics Maryland Athletes Interview Sailors

BALTIMORE, MD, UNITED STATES

10.16.2016

Courtesy Story

Navy Public Affairs Support Element East - (Reserve)

BALTIMORE – Special Olympics Maryland athletes interviewed Sailors and toured the guided-missile destroyer USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) during a community relation’s event as part of Maryland Fleet Week and Air Show Baltimore, Oct. 16.
The event gave the athletes, who are aspiring broadcasters, the opportunity to practice and gain confidence in their journalism skills as they put together a video project.
The Olympians, Matthew Ruley, Adam Hays and Stacey Hall, are not only athletes, but are journalists and videographers for their local Special Olympics chapters as well.
“I wanted to come on the ship today to represent Special Olympics,” said Ruley, who is a swimmer and sailor in the Special Olympics. “I had a lot of fun today and during the interviews I was a little nervous, but it was fun.”
Hayes, who competes in cycling, aquatics and soccer along with other sports for the Special Olympics, also works for Special Olympics Maryland as a spokesperson for people with disabilities.
“I travel to speak and share what people with disabilities can do,” said Hays. “We are here today to see what the Navy does and what the USS Leyte Gulf is all about, but we also wanted to spread our message.”
Along with the athletes, Jason Schriml, vice president of communications for Special Olympics Maryland, participated in the event.
“This was a great opportunity for the athletes to do something outside of their comfort zone,” said Schriml. “It also gave us the chance to show people the different things they can do. It is critical to bringing the community together, and that, is really our mission.”
Petty Officer 1st Class Nick Cederblom, a sonar technician aboard Leyte Gulf, was an interviewee of the athletes and also gave them an extensive tour of the ship.
“I volunteered for this tour today because I have a lot of pride in my ship and just want to get a little bit of knowledge out to people who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to see it,” said Cederblom. “It was amazing to have the Special Olympics group here and to get to teach them a little about what we do. I didn’t have much experience with the Special Olympics before this so I will definitely be looking into it more.”

• Date Taken: 10.16.2016
• Date Posted: 10.16.2016 19:23
• Story ID: 212155
• Location: BALTIMORE, MD, US