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This is my story.
I am JoAnn Sampson, a youthful 65 years of age, mother
of three, grandmother of three, and a 2000 retired classroom teacher with
the Miami-Dade County Public School System of 35 years. I am still
teaching part-time as of today in various schools in Dade County.
One afternoon I was reading the Sun
Sentinel, I noticed the article advertising for South Florida Senior
Games held in Fort
Lauderdale, Florida.
I called the telephone number given and being the “I can do that” person that I am quickly signed up
for Track and Field to run the 100 meters race. After the decision was
made and matters were handled, I thought to myself, “how can I do this?”
I have never had any training for running. As a matter of fact, I have
never competed in any running event in my life. I decided within myself
that this is an opportunity for another career.
I began training, which included walking, jogging, and
running 5 to 8 miles every morning five days a week, and in the evenings
I would do stretching and yoga.
Once I built my stamina up, I began speed running. On
February 8, 2002, which was my first race, at the age of 62, I competed
in the 2002 South Florida Senior Games held at Boyd Anderson
Senior High School in Fort
Lauderdale, FL.
In that race I came in first place and clocked in at 21 seconds to
receive my first Gold Medal. This event enabled me to qualify for the 2002
Florida Senior
Games State
Championship, which was held on December 14, 2002 in Lakeland, Florida.
I exceeded my time and clocked in at 19:44 seconds, bringing home The
Silver Medal. 
Currently, I compete in the South Florida Senior
Games, The National Senior Olympics, The Masters Invitational Track Meet,
Atlanta Senior Olympics, USA Track & Field National Masters
Championships, The Southeastern USA Track & Field Master
Championships, and The Southeastern Masters Regional Championships.
August 2006, USA
Outdoor Tack & Field Championships at Belk Field, Charlotte, NC.
I ranked number three in the nation, in my age category (women 65-69).
And number one in the State of Florida
at the Florida Senior Games State Championships held in Cape Coral, Florida,
on December 2006. My best time so far is 16.09 seconds. I am currently
training to exceed that time.
I believe in determination, dedication and
discipline; age is nothing but a number; it’s what in your heart that
matters. Although you’ve reached a certain
age or even ended a career, you can start a new beginning at something
you have never done in your life. All you need is to believe in yourself,
because the only one who can stop you is YOU!
What I
know for sure, I am stepping out in my silver years, looking around for
new challenges, making a new way, and starting a path for others to get
involved. I want the world to know, I am so grateful that God has given
me this opportunity to compete with some of the best Senior Athletes in
the nation. I am truly thankful and proud to be among a generation of
champions. It helps me to keep the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness.
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