Opening Ceremonies 2026

Emma Dodici, a gymnast from the Southern Tier region cheers from the crowd during the Opening Ceremonies (Photo by Kathryn Zurovchak)

 Opening Ceremonies

By Haley Fromm

            ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Cheers filled the Joseph A. Floreano Riverside Convention Center’s Empire Hall as athletes, coaches and volunteers marched into the room on Feb. 20, 2026.

            The nine regions of the Special Olympics New York (SONY): North County, Capital, Genesse, Southern, Central, Hudson Valley, Western, New York City and Long Island, held their respective region’s banner as they marched and took their seats.

            Two DJs, DJ Naps and DJ Gizzi, started the Opening Ceremony with music as the Rochester Red Wings’ mascot, Spikes, hyped up the crowd. The Gates Keystone Club Police Pipes and Drums carried the flag down the center aisle and up to center stage. A video montage played photos and videos to the song “Golden” by Huntrix, reminding the audience of the excitement and hard work of the competition.

A Capital Region athlete high fives spectators the opening ceremonies at Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 20, 2026. (Photo by Owen Ferrell)
LEFT: Aaron, John, and Al Beccarelli watch the Opening Ceremonies. (Photo by Carlos Sanchez) RIGHT: “The joy and the happiness that all the athletes bring, you can’t help but feel happy yourself when you’re around them all,” says Rochester police lieutenant Jay Bisley, pictured left. Bisley carries the Special Olympics New York torch into the Opening Ceremonies with Genesee Region gymnast Chris Teich, right. (Photo by Kathryn Zurovchak)

“Playing together shows us the true meaning of inclusion”

John Reale

  John Reale, an athlete from the Hudson Valley Region, came up to give a speech about what SONY means to him.

            “Thank you to everyone for your support of Special Olympics New York, and this includes all the athletes, coaches who worked so hard. We will all continue to grow stronger and reach new goals while competing. with friends at the state Winter Games,” said Reale.

            Stacey Hengsterman, the president and CEO of SONY, came up. She showed off the new medals for this coming year and went on to thank the sponsors.

The VIP sponsors included the SONY board members, the Golisano Foundation, Jersey Mike’s, the law enforcement and the staff. She went on to thank the sponsors, which include: Adam J. Bello, County Executive, Monroe County Economic Development, Gallagher, ROC Sports, Golisano Foundation, Northwell, Chobani, Wegmans, New York State Police, NY Able, M&T Bank, Passero, Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation, First Student, WXXI, Barilla, CPL and Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.

Hengsterman then presented the 2026 SONY Outstanding Coach of the Year Award. The nominees were Lisa Balus from the Western region, Kayla Ware from the North Country, Terry Uellendahl from Long Island, Laura Li from Central, Rebecca Shenwood from Genesee, Colleen Belanger from Capital District, Karli Bunday from Southern Tier, Nancy Bellini from Hudson Valley and Victor Pantopoulos from NYC. The award went to Kayla Ware.

Representatives from regional law enforcement departments welcome the New York City delegation into the Opening Ceremonies at the 2026 Winter Games in Rochester.
Steven Bennigsohn waits before riding his motorcycle for the opening ceremonies at Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 20, 2026. (Photo by Naiyelis Ortiz-Torres)
Floorball athlete Christopher Kirgan chats with his mother at the Athlete Dinner (Photo by Henry Youmans)
Brighton police officers converse inside of the convention hall (Photo by Genevieve Gutierrez)
Athlete Trent Hampton of Long Island Region hugs Special Olympics N.Y. President Stacey Hengsterman (Photo by Tony Chan)

Afterward, Erica Dayton from the Golisano Foundation and athlete Jonathan Thomas came up to say the Special Olympics oath: “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

To conclude the ceremony, New York Law Enforcement led the torch run, which was them walking down the center aisle with an Olympic torch. The ceremony was ledby two officers on motorcycles with flashing lights. The torch was followed and carried by athlete Christopher Teich and Jay Bislay, a New York State Lieutenant. This was Bislay’s first year carrying the torch for the opening ceremony. “The joy and the happiness that all the athletes bring, you can’t help but feel happy yourself when you’re around a ball. They’re all truly amazing,” said Bislay.

As they lit the Olympic Bowl with the flame, the ceremony concluded. The athletes filed out to head back to their hotels and prepare for the games tomorrow. One athlete, Danielle Larose, a floorball player from the capital region, enjoyed the ceremony.

“It was quite smooth. A lot of the other opening ceremonies went super late. So I really like that this didn’t end late.”

The athletes will compete tomorrow and be back to the Empire Hall once more for the closing ceremony.

Special Olympics New York coach of the year, Kayla Ware, from the North Country Region, comes to the stage for her recognition during the opening ceremonies. Ware’s local staff describe her as, “The backbone of our North County Region.” Ware attends every competition, fundraiser, and outreach event, despite commutes of up to five hours at a time. Ware received the award for her, “Humility, passion, and relentless drive [as] an extraordinary role model and advocate for athlete growth,” according to Special Olympics New York. (Video by Natalie Marshall and Jack Mallett)
TJ Bohanan and Beverly Dodici, an alpine skiing athlete and coach from the Southern Tier Region greet each other during the Opening Ceremonies at Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 20, 2026. (Photo by Caleb Bennett)
Athletes from the state participate in the Athletes and Coaches Dinner before the Opening Ceremonies at Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center. (Photo by Emma Watson, Video by Jack Mallet and Natalie Marshall)

“It gives me a lot of happiness and joy to do this,”  says volunteer Anna Bucierka. Bucierka and Karla Bonaldi work at the competition-readiness station, handing out winter sports essentials, such as lotion and hand warmers.

Christopher Hoaman from the New York City Region arrives at Hyatt Regency Hotel in Rochester, N.Y., where his team is staying for the competition weekend. He says, “The games are a team effort, I’m feeling good!” (Photo by Emma Watson)
LEFT: Marty Wallace, a member of marketing management for Special Olympics New York, greets athletes from the New York City Region as they arrive to the Hyatt Regency Hotel for the weekend. RIGHT: Mina Reay, an ice skater from the Genesee Region, receives a check in bracelet from her coach, Janelle Hines, during the Opening Ceremonies. Mina has been competing in the games for six years, and Janelle has coached for three. (Photos by Emma Watson)
RIT student Paul Besch-Turner takes a test photo in the portrait room at Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 20, 2026. (Photo by Caleb Bennett)
Josh Mongomery, a Floorball athlete from the Long Island region poses for a portrait during the opening ceremonies at Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 20, 2026. (Photo by Paul Besch-Turner)
From left: (Bottom) Darius McDill, Jeff Hill, Joey Perdo, and Patrick Miller, players on the Southern Tier region Floorball team pose for a portrait during the opening ceremonies at Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 20, 2026. (Photo by Paul Besch-Turner)
LEFT: “I enjoy events like these because of the good groups involved and how inspiring the event is,” says lighting engineer Jory Olson who sets up lights before the Opening Ceremonies. RIGHT: Light falls across empty seats during set up at the south side of Empire Hall. (Photos by Naiyelis Ortiz-Torres)
Hannah Murphy and Jude Killar look over photos on Jude’s camera during the Opening Ceremonies at Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 20, 2026. (Photo by Emma Watson)