ROSES to Kerry Hagner, a Special Olympics Orange County athlete who was one of seven chosen from across North Carolina to serve as official spokespersons for the organization -- and who will leave soon for Shanghai, China, to compete in the 2007 Special Olympics Summer Games.

Hagner was named a Special Olympics ambassador after completing the Sargent Shriver Global Messenger training program earlier this month in Morrisville. In that capacity, she will recruit other athletes and volunteers, give public speeches and perform other leadership duties.

And as an athlete, Hagner will compete in the cycling competition the World Games in China in October. Special Olympics Orange County will hold a send-off celebration for her on Sunday.