We want to give a big shout out to one of our Program Directors, Adrienne Bransky for everything she’s done for ACEing Autism and the families it serves. On top of running a weekly program, she helped launch additional program locations in Texas, and helped develop several management tools that program directors, volunteers and staff use on a daily basis.
If this wasn’t enough, she also started the ACEing Autism Dallas Special Olympics Delegation, which allows Dallas, McKinney, and Stonebridge Ranch Program participants to play tennis with athletes in addition to the weekly ACEing Autism clinics. The delegation started in 2018 with 7 athletes competing solely at the area level. This year, 14 athletes competed at the area level and 7 went on to compete at the state level. In total they earned 7 gold, 11 silver, and 3 bronze medals. “I wanted the participants and their families to have an additional opportunity for growth,” she said when asked what drove her to create the delegation.
“The events provide the perfect opportunity for the kids to learn how to collaborate and bond when they strategize with their doubles partner before matches.” Expanding on that, “being part of a larger team and hanging out with players from other delegations is a huge opportunity for socialization,” she explained. During the year, she brings in junior varsity players to provide match play experience for her athletes who compete to keep them excited and wanting more.
Thank you to Adrienne for her dedication and for continuing to provide more opportunities for the community to play.
