Exceeding Expectations

2006 Wrap-up

 

 

It's been a great year for the kids! A lot of races, a few special events and some significant personal accomplishments. Following tryouts at Cypress School, we welcomed 17 new kids in December. With normal attrition, our total team membership is now around 44.

Also, thanks to the enormous generosity of people like you, and a major endowment from special EE angels Len Shaefer & Nan Dawkins (below), we're hopeful of being able to undertake a full slate of races, special events and educational grants in 2007. Of course, the fund-raising never stops -- it's always surprising how much money it takes to keep an operation like this going, even with an all-volunteer crew -- so keep those contributions coming! (Especially now that we're officially a 501(c)3 charitable foundation.)



Len Shaefer & Nan Dawkins

 

Here's a quick rundown of how it went in 2006, plus a sneak preview of plans for the new year.

January Highlands 5K/10K/Half Marathon This was the very first race the kids did after EE was formed five years ago, and has become an annual tradition.

Exceeding Expectations co-founder Jacque Irons formally adopts team members Josh and Damien Photos here
February Redlands Triathlon
March Strawberry Fields Triathlon
April Desert Triathlon Produced by long-time EE supporter Greg Klein in La Quinta, CA

PossAbilities Triathlon Loma Linda, CA
May Mayor's Run 5K/10K along historic Route 66  Photos here
June Tinman Triathlon Cal State University San Bernardino Photos here

Miguel Samano graduates high school

June-September Special training for the EE "Challenged Athlete Foundation" Half Marathon qualifier
July L.A. Youth Tri & Will Rogers Fourth of July 5K Pacific Palisades, CA Photos here
August Lake Arrowhead Triathlon

Vianney Barrios selected for "Future Leaders of the Inland Empire" program
September EE "Challenged Athlete Foundation" Half Marathon qualifier Nik Keller, Isi Ibarra, Edgar Orozco, Jose Lopez and Vianney Barrios win the right to represent the team in La Jolla, CA Details and photos here

State Senators Tom Torlakson (D-Antioch) and Nell Soto (D-Pomona) come to San Bernardino to honor Cherie and the kids with resolutions from the California legislature Details and photos here

Bonelli Triathlon San Dimas, CA

Emilio Holguin elected high school Homecoming King (remember Emilio from the 2001 Ironman program on NBC?)
October Exceeding Expectations is officially a 501(c)3 charitable foundation
November "Challenged Athlete Foundation" Half Ironman La Jolla, CA Details and photos here

Carlos Orozco, who was our first high school graduate two year ago, graduates from his Medical Assistant program. (He did so well that the outfit he was interning with offered him a full-time job.)
December Seventeen new kids qualify for the team.

Tinsel Triathlon Hemet, CA Photos here

EE team member Nik Keller inducted into the National Honor Society.

 

Planned for early 2007:

January 21: Swimathon! Another great opportunity for you to dip into your wallets!

January 28: Highlands 5K/10K/Half Marathon

February 3: Competitor Magazine Endurance Sports Awards Banquet, Sea World, San Diego. The three top Swimathon fundraisers win the right to attend this wonderful black-tie affair.