One of the reasons why I chose to go to Villanova University for college (Go Cats!) is because it hosts the largest student-run Special Olympics event in the world. I was fortunate enough to meet and spend time with incredible athletes from Special Olympics Pennsylvania (Special shoutout to JC, Lisa, Dan and Lancaster County athletes!), and I got involved with Special Olympics Chicago’s Associate Board as soon as I could!
I love Special Olympics because of what playing on a team can teach a person, and it’s waaay more than just the rules and techniques of the game. Playing on a sports team teaches you about the importance of friendship, sportsmanship, passion and perseverance. I also love that Special Olympics supports programs, like Spread the Word to End the Word, to educate and encourage the public to build a more inclusive society for our friends with disabilities.
Everyone deserves to feel like a rock star when they are doing what they love, and for a lot of us, those moments happen when we play or watch sports. Being on the Associate Board has allowed me to see Special Olympics Chicago athletes have those rock star moments.
-Katy, 2021 Associate Board Social/PR Chair