As students return to school this fall, Special Olympics Illinois is proud to recognize someone whose dedication to inclusion has made a lasting impact both in schools and throughout communities across the state. For more than three decades, Diane VanderKooy has championed the mission of Special Olympics Illinois through the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR), while helping create welcoming, supportive environments for students through her work in school safety and education.
Diane’s journey with Special Olympics Illinois began in 1990 while serving as an Illinois State Police Trooper in northern Illinois. Volunteering at competitions alongside Master Sergeant Harry Masse introduced her to a movement that would shape the rest of her career and life.
“He first showed me what it actually means to be a ‘Guardian of the Flame,'” Diane said.
What began as volunteer service quickly became a lifelong commitment. As her Illinois State Police career progressed, including an assignment at the ISP Academy supervising cadet classes, her dedication to the Law Enforcement Torch Run only deepened. In 1999, Lieutenant Mike Beagles, Inspector Kevin Eack, and Lieutenant Collier entrusted her with the role of Leg 17 Leader (now called Regional Representative), continuing a legacy established just a few years earlier.
Today, Diane remains Region H’s Regional Representative and has served on the LETR State Committee since 2001. She also served as the Illinois State Police statewide coordinator until 2018 and continues supporting the effort as co-coordinator alongside Master Sergeant Amber Dunn.
Throughout her years of service, Diane has helped introduce countless law enforcement officers to the mission of Special Olympics Illinois, including presenting to every new cadet class at the Illinois State Police Academy alongside Athlete Leaders and Global Messengers.
While her journey has included leadership positions and opportunities to represent Illinois on an international stage, Diane says the greatest impact has come from the people she’s met along the way.
“This movement has done way more for me than I could ever do for it,” she said.
That commitment has taken Diane around the world as a Guardian of the Flame, representing Illinois at the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi, the 2022 USA Games in Orlando, and the 2023 World Games in Berlin. Yet despite those remarkable experiences, she is quick to point out what matters most.
“The best part of all this isn’t the travel or the titles, it’s just watching our athletes grow,” Diane said.
Her passion for supporting athletes led to another important chapter when she became involved with the Chatham Chargers. After retiring from the Illinois State Police as a Master Sergeant in 2015, Diane stepped into the role of Head Coach and Special Olympics Athletic Director for the program.
At the time, the Chatham Chargers served approximately 16 athletes across two sports. Today, thanks to the dedication of many coaches, volunteers, families, and community supporters, the program has grown to more than 70 athletes, 37 Unified partners, and more than 18 coaches, competing in eight sports.
Diane’s impact extends beyond athletics. Since joining Ball Chatham School District and progressing from substitute to School Safety Officer and now Director of Safety and Security, she has helped all six district schools become involved in the Unified Champion Schools program.
As students head back to school this year, Diane believes inclusion remains one of the most important ingredients for a positive school culture.
“Inclusion is the heartbeat of our schools,” she said. “When we bridge the gap between students, we aren’t just making things safer and we’re making them kinder.”
Through initiatives such as Respect Week, Fans in the Stands, Cool School Plunges, and student leadership opportunities, Diane has seen firsthand how inclusion can transform school communities.
She believes students learn some of their most valuable life lessons by connecting with and supporting one another.
“Our students are proving that everyone deserves a chance to shine,” she said.
For Diane, inclusion is not simply a program or initiative. It is a belief that guides her work every day.
“Inclusion means ensuring that every person is seen and heard for their individual worth and potential, regardless of their challenges.”
After more than 35 years of service to Special Olympics Illinois and the Law Enforcement Torch Run, Diane remains just as passionate about the movement as she was when she first volunteered in 1990.
“I’ll always be a cheerleader for this cause because it truly changes your life if you let it,” Diane said. “It has definitely changed mine.”
Whether she’s carrying the Flame of Hope, mentoring students, coaching athletes, or helping build more inclusive communities, Diane continues to embody what it means to be the #SOILLDifference.