Independent Component 2

LITERAL
(a) Statement saying: “I, Logan Ramirez, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.”

(b) Cite your source regarding who or what article or book helped you complete the independent component
Greg Oberon, Daniel Ramirez, and Russ Evans.

 (c) Provide a digital spreadsheet (aka log of the 30 hours)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ArZeKIJ-DYRTdE56S1VKdlp5WHQzVDFrMXpMN1lSbHc#gid=0

 (d) Explanation of what you completed. 
I started my volunteer work with Pomona Valley Special Olympics in 2008. Last year, for independent component 1, I decided to become a certified coach and immerse myself into the culture. I enjoyed coaching, mentoring and assisting the athletes over the year.  I soon decided that I wanted to continue my role as coach for PVSO.  For independent component 2, I made the decision to complete 30 hours of mentorship with these special people. My job to coach for Bocce Ball was a great experience.  I gained knowledge both on and off the court.  I participated in monthly Board and Coach meetings and discussed ways to motivate, encourage and care for the athletes.  I studied Bocce manuals and paid special attention to coaches instructions.  Often, I needed to reply to emails and provide suggests to our Area Director Russell Evans. I helped lead practices with Greg Oberon and Daniel Ramirez.While at practices, I provided feedback to the athletes so that they could perform their best. Several times throughout the year, I participated in regional tournaments which for me often started at 7am and ended in the late afternoon.  Socially, I helped the athletes in a variety of ways: supported athletes, coaches and volunteers and help teach new skills. I enjoyed my experience as a coach.  I realized that coaching also included bathroom monitoring, trash collector, sweater finder and referee between athletes when they had personal issues.

INTERPRETIVE
Defend your work and explain how the significant parts of your component and how it demonstrates 30 hours of work.   Provide evidence (photos, transcript, art work, videos, etc) of the 30 hours of work. 
In the links below it shows evidence that I have completed 30 hours of work. My job at Special Olympics is a coach, support the athletes, coaches, and volunteers in any way that I can. As a coach it my responsibility to mentor, consul, push the athletes to be the best they can be.
http://ipolylogan13.blogspot.com/2013/03/practice-senior-update-4.html
http://ipolylogan13.blogspot.com/2013/02/bocce-practice-senior-update-3.html
http://ipolylogan13.blogspot.com/2013/04/senior-project-update-8.html


APPLIED
How did the component help you answer your EQ or support one or more of your answers.  Please include specific examples to illustrate how it helped.
This component really helped me answer my EQ and answers. My EQ is "What is the most significant way that Special Olympics can help an person with a intellectual disability gain social competence?" While being a coach it gave me a whole new perspective of all the good things that come out of the athletes while they are in Special Olympics. I got to see the athletes grow and mature in their sport but most importantly see the athletes become socially competed. For example: at the beginning Dawn would come to practices and would expect others around her to compete tasks for her. She didn't want to help herself. Through time, encouragement, and praise she is coming to practices and putting her purse in the correct place, walking the track when asked, and even picking up her own bocce ball. These improvements may seem small to many but they are actually huge accomplishments. She is becoming socially competent which is great. that is what Special Olympics is striving for. Special Olympics and the athletes have shown me with hard work, patience, and praise athletes can become socially competed. By coaching, working with athletes, and research I have answered my essential question.