Angela is anxiously awaiting the Down syndrome association of Los Angeles' annual Spring Benefit where she will be accepting an Athletics Award.  Angie spent this weekend shopping for a dress with her Mom and younger sister, Rebecca. 

Today, the DSALA sent out the following email: 

http://e2.ma/message/npw7d/zukvse

Meet Angela Armenta Angela Armenta is 27 years old and has been involved in sports and sports therapy since she was three months old. In 1993, when Angela was only 7 years old, she broke down societal barriers by being the first person with Down syndrome to play in the JBA Tee-ball league of Bakersfield, CA.    In the summer of 2011 Angela decided she wanted to participate in the Los Angeles Marathon. She was inspired by her friends Rafael and Tim who she met when she started attending ARC in North Hollywood. She trained for 8 months, along with friends and SunDown Honoree Antoinette Mendoza, in preparation for the historic LA Marathon. Months before the looming date of race day Angela decided that she needed to make sacrifices in order to make this dream a reality. In January of 2012 Angie gave up her acting class with Mary Rings of Born to Act Players, so she could solely focus on the LA Marathon. With her acting classes now on hold Angela could attack her strength and conditioning exercises, speed drills and endurance runs of over 13 miles per outing. Angela did this two to three times per week during this focused time of training.   Tackling the 26.2 miles of the Los Angeles Marathon on March 18 of 2112 was one of Angela's most incredible accomplishments. She ran her first marathon alongside her younger sister, Rebecca, and her older brother, Joseph. Angela had an army of family and friends supporting her along the LA Marathon route. After 12 hours Angela crossed the finish line and became a part of LA Marathon and Down syndrome history!

Today, Angela turns 27 years-old.  She continues to inspire hope as the days go by.  When she was born, Angela's doctors told her parents that she would never walk or talk.  Little did they know that she would grow up playing baseball, join the cheerleading squad in her high school and run/walk a marathon.  Angie's stories resonate through the hearts of those who are close to her and smile continues to light up every room she walks into. 

Here's to one more lit candle on Angela's birthday cake!! 

Angie's marathon story lives on! Angie recently received notice that she will be honored at the Sundown Select Annual Spring Benefit hosted by the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles on March 17th. She was selected as an honoree for her accomplishments at the 2012 LA Marathon. The announcement was made last week in the DSALA's newsletter which has Angie's photo with Tony Cardenas that was taken at City Hall.

Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms out there.  Angie and her army would like to send special mother's day wishes to all of the moms with special needs children.  The trips to the doctor's office, therapy appointments, and rides to school do not end when their children graduate high school.  These selfless mothers go to sleep late, wake early, eat last and put their children first every day of their children's lives.

Happy Mother's Day to all of the special needs moms throughout the world...whose work is never quite done.

The Los Angeles City Council honored Angela Armenta and Antoinette Mendoza this morning at City Hall.  Councilman Krekorian presented the ladies with certificates of recognition for their completion of the Los Angeles Marathon last month.  After receiving the certificates at the City Council Meeting, the ladies and their friends from ARC had a photo-op with the Councilman and his staff.  Once the photos were taken with the Councilman, Angie & Antoinette were ushered to the 26th floor of City Hall where they got to enjoy 360 degree views of the city.  Check out Angie's Photo Gallery for photos of their adventure in Downtown L.A. 

You can also check out Councilmember Paul Krekorian's press release about the young ladies in Angie's In the News tab.