Congratulations to the 2010 Spartan Stores Healthy Athlete of the Year!

June 4, 2010 – Kassondra Pratt from Cheboygan was named the "2010 Spartan Stores Healthy Athlete of the Year" at the 2010 Special Olympics Michigan State Summer Games Opening Ceremonies on Thursday, June 4. Kassondra has been involved with Special Olympics Michigan for seven years. Special Olympics Michigan helped her turn her life around. She went from eating mainly junk food, to changing her snacks to fruit, yogurt and other healthy foods. She drinks juice and water instead of pop. As a part of a balanced diet, she eats healthy portioned sizes instead of over eating. In an attempt to maintain a healthy lifestyle, Kassondra also walks daily and strives to be more active at home.

She graduated from high school with honors in 2007. She is the first athlete to congratulate others when they do well and is always willing to help athletes from all areas. Through the efforts of joining Special Olympics Michigan, Kassondra lost a total of 114 pounds.

She is involved in various sports each season, but for the 2010 State Summer Games, she will compete in Bocce singles and doubles. Spartan Stores is very interested in helping communities improve their health and wellness.

Spartan Stores recognizes one Special Olympics Michigan athlete each year who exemplifies a healthy life-style and the Special Olympics Oath. Together with Special Olympics Michigan, Spartan Stores honors an athlete each year at State Summer Games, who is a leader among other athletes, and strives for wellness as well as a balance of the mind, body and spirit. Each athlete elected as the Spartan Stores Healthy Athlete of the Year will also become a Global Messenger to share the mission of Special Olympics Michigan and the positive impact on athletes. The award winner will also participate in numerous speaking engagements and store appearances throughout the year, arranged by both Special Olympics Michigan and Spartan Stores, Inc. Spartan began recognizing Special Olympics Michigan athletes in 2008 for their healthy lifestyle and dedication to the Special Olympics Oath: Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.

Spartan Stores has been supporting Special Olympics Michigan through monetary contributions since 1985. They also provide volunteers for the State Summer Games and provide all the food to feed the hundreds of volunteers during the two days of competition. In these 26 years Spartan has raised $7 million for year-round athletic training and State Summer Games, and is a statewide Gold Medal Sponsor and Presenting Sponsor of the State Summer Games.

Posted: 2010-06-04