by lauryn | May 20, 2026 | Athlete Leadership, Athletes, Mission Focused, USA Games
At Team Illinois Training Camp, Lily Goodfellow stepped into her role as an athlete reporter, capturing the energy, preparation, and personality that define Team Illinois.
Through interviews and behind the scenes moments, Lily is helping tell the stories of athletes and coaches as they prepare for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.
“From being an athlete to a reporter, I want people to know that I’m ready and that they can do this,” Lily shared.
Lily’s perspective is rooted in her own experience competing with Special Olympics Illinois, allowing her to connect naturally with the athletes she is covering and highlight what this journey means to them.
Her time at training camp offered an early look at the stories she will continue to share in the lead up to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.
Read Lily’s story covering training camp.
Read more about Lily and her passion for storytelling.
Learn more about Team Illinois and how you can show your support.
by lauryn | Mar 16, 2026 | Athlete Leadership, Athletes, Mission Focused, Region C, Sports, Uncategorized, USA Games
By Randy Kindred
Lily Goodfellow has a message for other Special Olympics Illinois athletes, delivered through the example she sets in front of a microphone, video camera, or computer keyboard:
You can do it.
You can make your voice heard, share stories and have an impact beyond athletic competition.
“I just want them to know that they can help make the world a better place,” she said.
It is not a catch phrase for the 22-year-old Goodfellow. She lives it every day through podcasts, videos, and the written word.
Goodfellow will attend the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota, June 20–26, where more than 70 members of Team Illinois will take part in the games experience. She will serve in a non-competitive sports reporting role, producing written, video, and other content to highlight the event before, during, and after the games.
“I’ve never been to the [Special Olympics] USA Games, so it’s the very first time for me,” she said. “I am looking forward to seeing everyone and getting to interview them.”
Born with Down syndrome, Goodfellow is passionate about sports. She has competed with Special Olympics Illinois from a young age, formerly in swimming and track and more recently in basketball, powerlifting and bocce. She also loves the theater, performing throughout her youth in local productions and musicals.
“She loved being on stage and in the spotlight,” said her mother, Nancy.
That outgoing personality led to Lily joining the Hawks TV club at Naperville Central High School. She conducted on-camera interviews with Redhawks’ athletes and developed her own segment called, “Lily’s Inclusion Corner.” It highlighted inclusion opportunities within the school, many based on Special Olympics Illinois.
She was recipient of the Strongest Redhawk Award, which her mother said goes annually to “someone who did what they could to make positive change in the school and exemplified the qualities the school tries to get behind.”
Lily has served as co-emcee for Special Olympics Illinois’ Champions Ball and emcee for the Chicago Ducky Derby. She also traveled to Los Angeles three times to broadcast the Gaming for Inclusion e-sports celebrity showcase alongside another Special Olympics athlete and a professional broadcaster. In 2024, her work there led to being honored as the “Game Changing On-Air Talent” by an organization called Cynopsis.
While attending the College of DuPage, Lily began writing a weekly question-and-answer story from Athlete of the Week interviews. She has continued that for the college newspaper as a graduate of the school and recently was deemed a “Highlighted Alum” by the Board of Trustees.
“I really like all of it, actually,” she said of her media endeavors. “I think the best part is actually I have my own YouTube Channel (Lily’s Sports Beat), so I have experience doing interviews.”
Her connection to Special Olympics Illinois began early. She was part of the first class of the Young Athletes program, which introduces children ages 2–7 to the basics of sports and prepares them for future Special Olympics training and competition.
The oldest of Ross and Nancy Goodfellow’s three children, she has had the support of her siblings. Luke, 21, is a student at British Columbia University in Vancouver, and Holly, 19, attends the University of Maryland.
“They’ve both been very involved,” Nancy Goodfellow said. “Lily and Luke went through a high school leadership program together. Both (Luke and Holly) were Special Olympics Illinois peers and worked for the special rec association. They’ve been very supportive.”
Lily is a guest services associate and greeter for the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Stars. At the United Center, she checks tickets for Bulls and Blackhawks games to ensure attendees have tickets for her section.
One day, she hopes to work for some, or all, of those teams in a different capacity.
‘I want to have a career,” she said.
The goal is to do on-air, in-arena interviews, etc. Those likely would come with her standing on a step stool.
At 4 feet, 6 inches, Lily often is much shorter than the person she interviews. Thus, Nancy said, “We carry around a stool in the car.”
Height aside, Lily stands tall in all the ways that matter. That warms the hearts of her parents.
“My husband and I often say we are entirely blessed that she found something she was passionate about,” Nancy said. “For her to be able to do something she loves so much and to see how much Special Olympics Illinois and others have lifted her up and done everything possible to make her dream come true, it has been amazing.
“It’s a little overwhelming as a parent to see how much people love her and want to support her. That’s pretty great.”
As Team Illinois prepares for the Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota this June, Lily will bring fans behind the scenes in a new way. Stay tuned over the next few months as she shares interviews, stories and updates, beginning with Team Illinois’ training camp in late April. Learn more about Team Illinois and the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.
by lauryn | Mar 5, 2026 | Athlete Leadership, Athletes, DEIB, Mission Focused, Organizational Impact
For more than three decades, Colleen Costello has been a powerful leader within Special Olympics Illinois. She first got involved at age 10, when she asked her coach, Jenny, if she could compete in gymnastics — a moment that sparked a partnership now 30 years strong.
Her athletic journey has taken her around the world, including the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, where she competed in rhythmic gymnastics and earned multiple medals. It was her first time competing in rhythmic gymnastics at the world stage, and the experience was unforgettable.
“I was so excited when I got my first gold medal… and then I got the second, third, and fourth,” she said.
But even in those proud moments, Colleen was thinking about how to help other athletes experience the same excitement and opportunities that Special Olympics had given her.
That instinct to support others is what led Colleen to the Special Olympics Illinois Board of Directors, where she is now serving her third term. Her path to the state board began at the local level, where she first served on her agency’s board to share athlete perspectives and learn more about leadership. “I like being on the board so I can get their opinions and give them my ideas,” she said.
Colleen takes that responsibility seriously. Before every meeting, she gathers feedback from athletes, coaches, and parents to bring their ideas directly to leadership. “They have good ideas,” she said.
She believes deeply in the importance of athlete voices in decision-making. “If you’re not an athlete, you don’t know what it’s like to be an athlete,” Colleen said. “So it’s my job to tell the board what it’s like.”
For Colleen, inclusion is at the heart of everything she does — both as an athlete and as a leader. “Inclusion means that we make the right decisions for everybody, so that all people can participate in special events,” she said. “If I’m on the board, I’m helping all the other athletes.”
On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate Colleen for her leadership, her advocacy, and the countless ways she lifts others up. Through her voice, dedication, and passion for inclusion, Colleen continues to make Special Olympics Illinois stronger for athletes today and for generations to come.
by lauryn | Feb 27, 2026 | Athlete Leadership, Healthy Athletes, Mission Focused, Organizational Impact, Region B, Region C, UCS/Unified
Earlier this month, leaders from Special Olympics Illinois traveled to Washington, D.C. for Capitol Hill Day, joining advocates from across the country to meet with members of Congress. Their purpose was simple but powerful: share how Special Olympics’ programs are changing lives, and advocate for continued federal funding to ensure those opportunities continue for future generations.
Capitol Hill Day puts faces to the funding. When athletes and students speak directly to lawmakers, they show that inclusion is not just an idea, it’s a lived experience shaping schools and communities every day.
Friendship That Speaks Volumes
For Derek Otero, a Special Olympics Illinois athlete and student at Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School (BBCHS), the week was unforgettable.
“My favorite about Capitol Hill week is meeting people from different states and having fun with them,” he said. “I felt extremely blessed to meet every Congressman/woman we met, it was a life-changing experience.”
His message was rooted in connection: “My impact is to create as many friendships as you can, it is always a blessing to do it.”
That spirit was evident in his Unified partner, Calvin Kohl.
“Meeting with members of Congress was both nerve wracking and empowering,” Calvin shared. “It felt like it was an opportunity to represent so many others and impact thousands of people across the country.”
He left with a clear understanding of why advocacy matters. “Inclusion doesn’t just happen on its own, it takes a lot of effort, leadership, and advocacy for support … each of our voices has more value than we might think.”
Their friendship and teamwork did not go unnoticed. Pete Beale-DelVecchio, President & CEO of Special Olympics Illinois, reflected:
“The most memorable part of Capitol Hill Day this year was watching the interactions between Calvin and Derek. They have a great partnership and a true friendship.”
Together, Derek and Calvin demonstrated exactly what Unified stands for — friendship, leadership, and mutual support.
Gold Medal Moments on Capitol Hill
Athlete Leader Katie O’Neill brought energy, gratitude, and emotion to every part of Capitol Hill Day. One of her favorite moments was meeting Representative Nikki Budzinski and presenting her gold medal.
Athlete Leader Katie O’Neill brought energy, gratitude, and emotion to every part of Capitol Hill Day. One of her favorite moments was meeting Representative Nikki Budzinski and presenting her gold medal.
“If it weren’t for people like her, I would have never been able to win a gold medal!” Katie said. She also loved standing in the Capitol gallery, calling it the “room where it all happens,” a reference to the musical Hamilton she discussed with Rep. Budzinski.
The day was deeply moving. “It was so inspiring! And so powerful! I cried and so did my mom,” she recalled. But beyond the emotion, Katie felt truly heard. “They respect us and want to hear what we have to say. I could tell they were listening.”
Amanda Walker, educator and Special Olympics Illinois coordinator at BBCHS, highlighted the impact of the experience: “All of the staff… listened intently, asked questions, and offered support for our mission. It reminded me that advocacy, at any level, can make a difference.”
Building Communities of Belonging
Capitol Hill Day is a chance to show lawmakers why federal support for Special Olympics programs is essential. These programs help individuals build confidence, form lasting friendships, and develop leadership skills that carry into their communities.
Mo Khan, Senior Director of Advancement & Government Relations at Special Olympics Illinois, explained, “Public funding to support health, education, and opportunity for millions of American families who are a part of the greater disability community is a great investment.”
Through their stories on Capitol Hill, Illinois’ delegation showed that funding Special Olympics isn’t just about programs, it’s about building communities where everyone belongs.
by lauryn | Dec 9, 2025 | Athlete Leadership, Athletes, Mission Focused, Region I, Sports, State Tournaments, Uncategorized
By Randy Kindred
In a matter of three hours, Summer Nagele sang the national anthem to open the 2025 State Bowling Tournament, participated in doubles competition, received a medal, chose her sandwich for lunch, answered a reporter’s questions and prepared to compete in singles.
It was a busy schedule for anyone, but especially for a 20-year-old whose doctor once told her parents she may never walk, talk or eat on her own. Nagele is a Special Olympics Illinois Athlete Leader and has been crowned four times as Illinois Miss Amazing, a program for girls and women with disabilities.
Miss Amazing indeed.
Currently the Illinois Miss Amazing Teen Queen 2025, Nagele’s disability went undiagnosed for many years. Autumn and Michael Nagele of Champaign sought answers for their only child and, despite the doctor’s grim early prognosis, “We never set limits on her,” Autumn said.
“It took 16 long years and we finally got a diagnosis,” Autumn added. “If she wants to do something, we’ll try to support her in any way we can. Because of that, she is the amazing human she is today. She doesn’t let anything stop her.”
Summer was diagnosed with KCNK9 Imprinting Syndrome (also Birk-Barel Syndrome), a condition so rare her mother said she is “one in about 100 in the world” to be diagnosed. Characteristics include intellectual disability, decreased muscle tone and unusual facial features.
Yet, there she was Saturday at Victory Lanes in Decatur, performing the national anthem, serving as a friend and mentor to her 12-year-old doubles partner, Alorah “Lou” Rosenberger, and embracing one of the nine sports in which she participates, most through Special Olympics Illinois.
“Special Olympics Illinois has meant that I’ve grown more confident, more self-esteem,” said Summer, a Champaign Central High School graduate who works at Rally House in Champaign. “My confidence grew a whole lot. I was able to self-advocate for myself before, but with Special Olympics Illinois, I kind of got the ability to get more confidence in advocating for myself.”
That has led to advocating for others. In her role as an Athlete Leader, she speaks to organizations about the benefits of programs such as Special Olympics Illinois and the Miss Amazing program.
Summer’s three previous Miss Amazing titles were 2017 Illinois Miss Amazing Preteen Queen, 2019 Illinois Miss Amazing Junior Queen and 2023 Illinois Miss Amazing Teen Queen. This year, she also was first runner-up at the national Miss Amazing competition in Chicago.
Summer said she relishes spreading the word about the program, saying it helps others “build self-confidence and self-esteem and allows people just like us to compete.”
“We all have some sort of disability,” she said. “It’s just so much fun to do it and you get to tell them about your passions.”
She embraces being an Athlete Leader, saying it “enables me to do what you saw me do this morning … sing the national anthem, and also give speeches and tell people who might not know a lot about Special Olympics Illinois more about Special Olympics Illinois.”
Autumn Nagele said her daughter “enjoys telling people about the things she does and Special Olympics Illinois is right at the top of the list.”
Michael Nagele expressed pride in how his daughter has grown from a young, inexperienced athlete to a mentor and positive role model.
“We really look at what we have, not what we don’t have,” he said. “There’s a quote I remember that says something like a flower doesn’t look at other flowers, it just blooms. I think about Summer in that way.
“Are there kids who can perform better athletically than her? Yeah, and there are some who don’t do as well as her. We take the wins where we can get them with her and she develops at her pace. We just really encourage her and help her to learn and grow at her own pace.”
‘Victory’ in Itself
The State Bowling Tournament had long been at Landmark Lanes in Peoria. Special Olympics Illinois learned in mid-September that a change in ownership at Landmark would necessitate finding a new location.
Tracy Hilliard, Senior Director of Sports and Competition at Special Olympics Illinois, said Victory Lanes was secured by mid-October.
“We were fortunate,” Hilliard said. “Our staff that is in Decatur indicated they were looking at this facility. We had a couple of suggestions and they made the visit here. It was pretty quick.
“This is a 40-lane (facility), which is a good size. Landmark was 50, but we already have three shifts. The staff here at Victory has been phenomenal. The regional tournament is moving their tournament from Champaign to here as well.”
Millikin Lends a Hand
Decatur’s Millikin University provided several volunteers to assist with the tournament. Hilliard said the school also sends volunteers to the State Golf Tournament each September at Decatur’s Hickory Point Golf Course.
“Millikin is a strong supporter of Special Olympics Illinois,” Hilliard said. “That college has always been very supportive.”
View photos and results from the 2025 State Bowling Tournament.
by Michelle Mayer | Sep 8, 2025 | Athlete Leadership, Mission Focused, Statewide
Special Olympics Illinois proudly launched a new era of leadership development with Athlete Leadership University (ALU), a program that recognizes leadership as more than participation. It’s about influence, responsibility, and driving change.
Through ALU, athletes build skills and confidence to shape the direction of Special Olympics Illinois and beyond.
Athlete Leader Katie O’Neill from Region C is one of many athletes embracing the opportunity to grow through ALU.
“I’m so excited Special Olympics Illinois wants me to do this and knows I can,” says Katie.
ALU follows a six-step structure: core training, mentorship, ongoing workshops, an intensive in-person academy, and real-world leadership experiences. Athletes graduate ready to lead in their communities.
Majors Set for Success
As part of the ALU journey, athletes are required to choose a leadership path by selecting one of four majors as their focus: Athlete Spokesperson, Athlete Representative, Event Leader, or Health Messenger.
- Athlete Spokesperson: Focuses on public speaking, storytelling, and outreach to inspire others and share the mission of Special Olympics Illinois.
- Athlete Representative: Develops professional meeting skills and facilitation techniques to take on leadership roles within councils, committees, and boards.
- Event Leader: Builds planning and organizational skills to lead events and contribute meaningfully to Special Olympics Illinois and local communities.
- Health Messenger: Promotes personal wellness and educates teammates and community members about healthy living.
“ALU is unique because it supports athletes to build and strengthen their skills,” explains Michelle Mark, Director – Athlete Leadership and Families Initiatives, Special Olympics Illinois. “This program is designed to help athletes discover their interests and take on meaningful leadership roles in areas they are passionate about.”
A Pathway for Leaders
After attending core training sessions and other workshops, athletes are invited to attend ALU Academy.
At ALU Academy, athletes dive deep into their chosen majors. The first academy took place this past August, welcoming 22 athletes eager to elevate their leadership.
“It was an inspiring day,” said Mark. “These athletes dedicated their time to exploring their majors, engaging in real world scenarios, and practical exercises to better prepare for the next step in their leadership journey.”
What’s Next? Real World Experience
ALU Academy was just the beginning of this journey for these athletes. Each athlete will now begin working on an activation project tied to their area of study.
Katie O’Neill was also in attendance. After a full day of workshops and hands-on learning, she left ALU Academy buzzing with ideas.
“I loved the ALU Academy,” remarks O’Neill. “I have a lot of ideas about my activation project and I just can’t decide. I will decide soon because I can’t wait to get started!”
These projects give athletes a chance to put their training into practice, whether by leading a health workshop, speaking at a community event, or helping to organize a competition.
Moving Forward Together
This is only the beginning of building a more inclusive world alongside people with intellectual disabilities.
Together, we are building an athlete-led movement where every athlete voice is heard, supported, and has the opportunity to shape the future of Special Olympics Illinois.
Want to be part of the movement? Learn more about becoming an Athlete Leader.
