by lauryn | Aug 19, 2026 | Athletes, Region G, Sports, State Tournaments, UCS/Unified
When Katie and Michael Gerber joined S.O.A.R. (Special Opportunities Available in Recreation), the Bloomington-based Special Olympics Illinois agency, this year, they expected to enjoy some friendly competition and meet new people. What they found was much more than that.
The married couple, both special education teachers, captured gold medals with their Unified doubles partners at the Special Olympics Illinois State Tennis Tournament on August 16 at Evergreen Racquet Club in Bloomington. Despite weather-related disruptions that cancelled Saturday competition, doubles teams returned Sunday to compete for state medals.
Katie, a special education teacher at Normal Community High School, partnered with athlete Sam Carrillo to win first place in Unified Doubles Level 5 Division UD01. Michael, special education teacher at Leroy Elementary School, teamed up with athlete Bradley Meserole to take first place in Unified Doubles Level 5 Division UD02.
Though both are longtime educators, this was their first year participating in S.O.A.R.’s Unified Sports program.
“I just wanted to play tennis again,” Katie said. “I played in high school and hadn’t played in a while. This is so much fun.”
Katie first learned about S.O.A.R. through colleagues who had volunteered with the organization for years. After joining the Unified Sports program alongside her husband, Michael, the couple quickly found themselves welcomed into a community built on friendship, teamwork, and inclusion.
“The athletes and coaches and everybody are so fun,” Katie said. “We’ve made so many friends through S.O.A.R.”
For Michael, the opportunity combined two things he already loved: tennis and working with individuals with disabilities.
“I love tennis and I love this population of people,” he said. “I get to see how fun it is to watch them succeed. It just matched my interests perfectly.”
As first-year partners, both said Unified Sports has offered a new perspective on competition.
Katie said being paired with Sam has helped her focus less on winning and more on celebrating everyone’s success.
“I’ve learned to always look for the joy,” she said. “We’re not only going to celebrate ourselves, we’re going to celebrate other people. It’s helped me reflect more on sportsmanship in a way I maybe hadn’t thought about before.”
Michael echoed that sentiment.
athletes’ attitude, win, lose, or draw, is incredible. For the partners, there’s so much to gain from that.”
For both Gerbers, Unified Sports creates opportunities for meaningful connections between athletes and partners.
Katie believes the program helps expand the Special Olympics Illinois community by bringing together people who may not have otherwise become involved.
“It gives a great spot for people to feel included and feel seen,” she said. “It broadens the circle.”
That sense of inclusion has also extended to the Gerbers’ daughter, Charlotte, who has volunteered with several S.O.A.R. programs this year and developed friendships of her own.
For athlete Sam Carrillo, who has participated in S.O.A.R. for four years and competes in multiple sports, the experience is all about staying active and spending time with friends.
“My favorite thing about S.O.A.R. is doing cardio,” Sam said. Later he added, “I do have lots of friends that play in S.O.A.R.”
Bradley Meserole, who also participates in swimming, bowling, soccer and golf, was excited to return to state tennis after winning a medal last year.
Asked whether he was hoping for another medal this season, his answer was simple: “Yep.”
After one season in the Unified Sports program, both Katie and Michael say they would encourage others to get involved.
“Absolutely,” Katie said. “You get to move your body, meet new people and be part of something really special.”
Michael agreed.
“One hundred percent,” he said. “You get to learn from the athletes, see the joy they have in competing and be part of an incredible community.”
For two first-year Unified partners, the gold medals were certainly memorable. But the friendships, lessons, and sense of belonging they found through Unified Sports may be their biggest victory of all.
View results from the State Tennis Tournament. Learn about our Unified programming.
by Michelle Mayer | Jun 29, 2026 | Athletes, Mission Focused, Sports, Statewide, Uncategorized, USA Games
From June 20 to 26, Team Illinois competed on the national stage at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota, joining athletes from across the country for a week defined by competition, connection, and shared pride.
Representing communities across the state, Team Illinois brought together 57 athletes and Unified partners, along with 16 coaches and seven support staff members. Competition took place for Team Illinois across eight sports, representing a range of individual and team opportunities on the national stage.
From the moment the delegation arrived on campus to the final celebration at Closing Ceremony, the week reflected what it means to compete, grow, and represent Illinois on a national stage.
Settling In and Stepping Up
After arriving in Minnesota, athletes quickly returned to their routines as practices began and competition drew near.
“The water’s cold, but it is what it is, I’m just here to compete and have fun,” said swimmer Drew Kirkman.
That mindset carried across the delegation, combining focus with excitement for the opportunity ahead.
Early in the week, Unified volleyball also set the tone for what Team Illinois would represent. During early competition, Coach Julie Smith shared that the team received overwhelmingly positive feedback.
The group was described as a model of inclusion and Unified sport, with strong relationships between athletes and partners and a level of teamwork that stood out on the national stage.
For many athletes, simply reaching this stage was a powerful moment.
“You know … when I was born I wasn’t even supposed to walk or talk and here I am at USA Games,” said Unified volleyball athlete Travis Brady.
A Week of Competition, Medals, and Personal Bests
As competition began, Team Illinois delivered across every sport.
The gymnastics team opened the week with strong all-around performances, setting the tone for what followed. Athletes across sports built on that momentum, contributing to a growing list of award performances throughout the week.
Bowling also made a major impact, highlighted by Jordan Derossett, who recorded a 668 series, averaging 229, during singles competition, the highest singles series across all competitors, male and female.
Across the week, athletes reached the podium while others delivered strong finishes, contributing to Team Illinois’ presence in every venue.
Equally important were the personal milestones. Throughout the Games, athletes across sports achieved multiple personal records, reflecting both their preparation and the energy of competing at a national level, including at least seven personal records realized on a single day of competition.
“I just can’t stop looking at this, I’m going to treasure it forever,” said swimmer Christine Leverenz, reflecting on her gold medal performance.
Moments That Defined the Experience
Beyond competition, the week included experiences that extended well beyond the field of play.
Athletes connected with national media outlets, sharing their stories with a broader audience. Others had the opportunity to meet and interact with high profile figures, including Olympic champion Suni Lee.
“I love her, this has honestly been the best, this is my highlight,” said gymnast Katie O’Neill, after receiving her medal from Lee.
Through the Healthy Athletes program, Team Illinois participants also accessed important health services. At least one athlete received hearing aids and five athletes received vision care, including glasses and bifocals.
These services represent lasting impact that continues beyond the week of competition.
Defining Team Illinois Through Performance and Teamwork
As the week progressed, Team Illinois built momentum not only through results, but through teamwork and resilience.
The bocce team delivered a strong performance in team competition to earn gold, highlighting coordination and consistency across the lineup.
In bowling, the men’s team produced one of the most dramatic moments of the week, overcoming a 64-pin deficit to secure gold by just three pins.
Unified team sports also played a major role in the delegation’s success, with both basketball and volleyball earning silver medals in their divisions.
Individually and collectively, athletes continued to push themselves and compete with confidence.
“I am the ultimate girl boss,” said powerlifter Sheridan Coleman during warmups, reflecting the mindset she brought to the platform. She went on to earn three gold medals and a bronze.
Recognition for sportsmanship and leadership also reinforced the team’s impact. Unified partner Arik Sorensen was awarded the Spirit of Unified Sports Award, honoring his commitment to inclusion and teamwork.
A Week That Extended Beyond Competition
As events wrapped up, athletes had the opportunity to step into a new role, supporting their teammates.
Those who had completed their competitions spent time attending other events, cheering on fellow athletes, and experiencing sports they had not yet seen.
For Youth Leadership Experience athlete Ethan Jimenez, the week was about fully taking in every moment.
“I am so happy to be a part of this,” he said.
His mentor, Katie McFadden, reflected on a week where Ethan attended competitions across venues, built connections, and embraced the full experience, forming new friendships and learning from others.
Closing with Pride
As the Closing Ceremony brought the Games to an end, Team Illinois left Minnesota with more than results.
Athletes across the delegation reached the podium, set personal records, and delivered strong performances in every sport. They also built connections, gained confidence, and represented their communities with pride.
From the first day on campus to the final celebration, the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games reflected the strength of Team Illinois, not only in competition, but in the way athletes, Unified partners, coaches, and staff came together to represent something larger than themselves.
Learn more about Team Illinois, including bios, results, photos, and more.
by Michelle Mayer | Jun 16, 2026 | Athletes, Families, Fundraising, LETR, Mission Focused, Sports, State Tournaments
By Randy Kindred
A voice from inside the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) tent shouted, “Whose birthday is it?”
A few feet away, a Kane County police officer in the LETR’s dunk tank replied, “It’s our birthday!”
A Special Olympics Illinois athlete hit the bullseye, sending the officer into the water. She was still fully drenched after emerging from the tank, but that did not deter an athlete from wrapping his arms around her in a hearty embrace.
Both came away smiling.
It was a brief moment Saturday in the Olympic Town area of the 2026 Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games. Yet, it spoke volumes about the connection between the state’s law enforcement and Special Olympics Illinois communities.
The “birthday” was the 40th for the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which has raised more than $70 million for Special Olympics Illinois.
“What we give does not even come close to equating what they give back,” LETR Director Bill Devine said of the Special Olympics Illinois athletes. “The friendships, the bonds, the hugs, the inspiration. And it goes beyond us as individuals. It goes to our families.”
Devine has seen it from all angles. His 20-year-old son, C.J., was born with Down syndrome and has participated in Special Olympics Illinois athletics, bowling, baseball, Unified cornhole … you name it.
“Pretty much the only month he has off is July,” Devine said.
Devine, a retired Tinley Park police officer, serves as a coach in the agency for which C.J. competes, South Suburban Special Rec. The family’s link to Special Olympics Illinois doesn’t end there.
“I have a daughter (Madison) who just graduated with her Masters (degree) as a speech language pathologist,” Devine said. “Her inspiration came from her association with Special Olympics, being around the athletes and watching them with their trials and the way they do things.”
The Law Enforcement Torch Run presented Special Olympics Illinois a check for $5.9 million during Friday’s Opening Ceremony. It was the total raised in 2025, a number unfathomable when Illinois’ LETR was born in 1986.
Devine has been involved since 2000, when he began “as a local leg runner” before progressing to a state committee member and, in 2020, to state director.
“It’s a lot more than money,” he said of the fundraising efforts. “When we started, everything was centrally located. We did everything out of the university. Because of our growth, we had to expand the footprint. That’s exciting for me to see the amount of people we’re able to provide services to.
“We have a lot of young people coming up who are doing phenomenal work. The awareness factor is growing exponentially. We’re seeing it in the (fundraising) numbers and that’s leading to the numbers.”
State committee member Robbi Peterson, an investigator with the Illinois Attorney General’s office, called the totals “staggering,” as well as the $1 billion that has been raised worldwide by Law Enforcement Torch Run organizations.
Peterson first got involved during his time with the West Chicago Police Department and said the connection with LETR and Special Olympics has “changed my life so much.”
“It’s just become part of my everyday life,” he said. “I stay in touch with athletes not only at events like the Summer Games, but throughout the week, sending messages back and forth. I’ve really seen the impact of the work we’ve been able to do. You see how much it impacts families.”
Peterson was part of the Torch Run for the World Winter Games last year in Italy, as well as this spring for the upcoming 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis.
His 17-year-old son, Jayden, is active in helping with LETR events. He shares the passion his father and other officers have for Special Olympics Illinois athletes and families.
“We all say we got in this job to help people,” Robbi Peterson said. “I couldn’t think of a better way of helping people than helping these people who are facing daily challenges of just being accepted. And there’s no reason they shouldn’t be accepted.
“It is about fundraising, but the biggest piece is the awareness and the inclusion and just getting the message out there that they’re no different than us. We all need opportunities. They need opportunities to be seen and we’re making sure they’re recognized and seen for who they are.”
That is the mission of Amy Williams, deputy chief in the Huntley Police Department. Williams has been involved with LETR for 22 years.
She seeks to advocate for the athletes, in part because of words she heard as a child.
“My dad always told me the world is so much bigger than me,” Williams said. “He said to go out and plant seeds and make a difference. As I started my career, what better opportunity than to be able to work with such an amazing organization and be inspired by amazing athletes with Special Olympics?
“The (fundraising) numbers continue to grow, but for me the importance over the money is ensuring that people see our athletes for more than their disabilities. It’s more about who they are and what they contribute to society.”
LETR conducts a variety of fundraising efforts in addition to the annual Torch Run. Some include corporate partnerships, among Cop on a Rooftop, in partnership with Dunkin’ as well as Plane Pulls supported by United Airlines.
Yet, a good portion of the LETR initiative is based in police departments and their communities.
That warms the heart of Diane Vanderkooy, a retired Illinois State Police officer who has been involved with LETR since 1990. She is a safety officer with the Chatham school district and serves as athletic director and a coach with the Chatham Chargers Special Olympics program.
She called the local fundraising “kind of a badge of honor.”
“We look at other programs and they have a lot of corporate input,” Vanderkooy said. “Ours is so grass roots. It’s boots on the ground and grinding and doing it. That fits my wheelhouse. That fits me, my character.
“The athletes and the families I’ve met on this journey is amazing. Once you embed yourself in there, there’s always somebody to talk to, to reach out to. It’s a partnership. It’s a family.”
Unified Cornhole a Hit
Unified cornhole made a successful Summer Games debut Friday inside Horton Fieldhouse. Among those delighted for the opportunity were 13-year-old Reed Castleman and his mother, Amanda Castleman.
The Virden residents were competing for Auburn Area Special Olympics.
“It was fun for Reed and I to be able to partner together,” Amanda said. “I’ve been watching him compete for six, seven years (in other sports), but I’ve never gotten to actually participate with him. It was really fantastic.”
The Castlemans gravitated to the sport because Reed is unable to sweat, meaning he “overheats easily,” said his father, Cory Castleman.
“Knowing it’s a new sport and realizing it’s going to be indoors, it’s a good opportunity for him to enjoy participating and not have to worry about the heat as much,” Cory said.
Reed also competes in Special Olympics Illinois basketball and bowling. The plan is to participate in Unified cornhole again next year.
“This was our first time ever playing,” Amanda said. “We don’t even have one at home.”
Unified cornhole featured 15-foot and 27-foot divisions. Among the 80 teams were six with participants from Morton College in Cicero.
Merrick Hill and two of his Morton College baseball teammates served as Unified partners. Hill teamed with Victor Alvarado in the 15-foot competition.
“They (Morton College officials) do a really good job of getting the word out and getting a lot of teams,” said Hill, who graduated from the community college in May. “Special Olympics is a great organization. It’s fun to be able to just do anything to help.”
by lauryn | Apr 30, 2026 | Athletes, Mission Focused, Sports, USA Games
Athlete Reporter Lily Goodfellow reports from Team Illinois Training Camp, capturing how athletes are preparing for the national stage this June.
By Lily Goodfellow
Team Illinois prepared for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota with a training camp in Bloomington-Normal this past weekend. Athletes from around the state practiced in various locations around the area, from high schools to exercise facilities, and a local bowling alley. The athletes and coaches had a chance to meet their teammates and fellow competitors and get to know each other throughout the weekend.
Courtney Kreuger is competing in the USA Games this June in powerlifting. She has been participating in Special Olympics for more than 15 years. She didn’t know about Special Olympics Illinois until one of her best friends told her about it and invited her to an athletics event. “I loved it and I joined and I never looked back.” Courtney has competed in track and field, powerlifting, basketball, bowling, and tennis. When asked which is her favorite, Courtney said “my number one would probably be powerlifting. I just like to lift weights and try to get stronger with my upper body.”
Powerlifting Athlete Courtney Kreuger
Courtney has had the same coach for both athletics and powerlifting (and all of the other sports in her area) for the past 12 years, Matt Nelson. Matt is serving as the head athletics coach for Team Illinois at the USA Games, but he continues to train Courtney in powerlifting at least three days a week. “He’s awesome. We train pretty hard and he’s a great coach.”
Matt started coaching in 2010 after he contacted Special Olympics Illinois to find a way to give back and “help the world.” He says what he likes best about coaching “is being able to take the skillset that I have – I know how to do things properly – and then getting to see my athletes learn how to do it … and see them feel the joy and accomplishment when they do their best.” He thinks it’s pretty great to see them get some medals too.
Athletics Coach Matt Nelson & Lily Goodfellow
Matt served as the assistant athletics coach at the 2018 and 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, and his biggest hope is to see the Illinois athletes competing in the 4×400-meter relay take home the gold. “We are the defending USA Games champions in that event. We won first place in Orlando in 2022, on the very last day in the very last race.” He also hopes to see Courtney medal in the USA Games.
“Courtney is doing amazing. She’s already set three PRs in less than five months in training. She’s killing it.” Matt said Courtney may deadlift 230-240 pounds at the USA Games.
Debbie Stewart knows what it feels like to win golds. She’s won more than 110 of them. Debbie has been competing in Special Olympics Illinois for 53 years. During that time, she has competed in athletics, soccer, softball, volleyball, swimming, basketball, bocce, and bowling. She continues to compete in athletics and bowling, and she will be representing Illinois on the bowling team. Her current medal count is 299. She is hoping to get number 300 in her upcoming athletics meet and hang it alongside all of her medals in a special cabinet her dad built for her.
Head gymnastics coach Glenn Marks has also been involved with Special Olympics Illinois for more than 50 years. He has coached at numerous Special Olympics World and USA Games and loves to see how the athletes do in their competitions and achieve their goals. Glenn believes the four Illinois athletes who will be competing in gymnastics are going “to do really well. They have a lot of motivation and the excitement is there.”
Lily Goodfellow & Gymnastics Coach Glen Marks
Powerlifter Ryan Farrar is motivated, too. He has competed in Special Olympics Illinois for more than 14 years. In 2011, he went into a workshop in his local town and asked about how to get involved in Special Olympics. “I’m really competitive. I love doing it. It keeps me busy.” Ryan stays busy competing in bowling, basketball, flag football, and powerlifting. Powerlifting and basketball are his favorites, because he feels they are the most competitive sports. His latest motivation is to repeat 300 pounds in the deadlift, which he did for the first time in training.
Like most of the Team Illinois athletes, Ryan is looking forward to making new friends and competing at the Special Olympics USA Games.
Training Camp was just the beginning for building relationships and bonding with other teammates and coaches. Everyone is looking forward to Minneapolis in June when they can walk together into the Opening Ceremonies representing both their sport and their state.
Learn more about Team Illinois, the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, and how you can support the team.
by lauryn | Apr 6, 2026 | Athletes, Healthy Athletes, Mission Focused, Region B, Sports, USA Games
For eight weeks last fall, athletes across the country logged their workouts, tracked healthy habits, and pushed themselves toward better fitness through the SONA Move Challenge. Among thousands of participants, one name rose to the top: Melanie Harwood, a 2026 Special Olympics USA Games Team Illinois swimming athlete from Region B, who finished first in Illinois and fourth in the nation with an incredible 336,759 points.
For Melanie, the challenge wasn’t just about competition, it was about preparation and personal growth. “I wanted to get fitter for USA Games. It made me more aware of what I could do better for my health,” she shared. As a server in a senior living home, she stays active on the job, and her workplace community has become one of her biggest cheer squads. “The residents and staff are very encouraging … They really enjoy watching the videos my parents take and are looking forward to seeing the videos from nationals.”
Building Healthy Habits Through SONA Move
The SONA Move Challenge follows the Fit 5 + Healthy Minds model, encouraging participants to stay active, eat well, hydrate, and practice mental wellness. Melanie embraced the structure, and the accountability.
She said the challenge helped her recognize one habit in particular: “It made me more aware of how much water I needed to drink.” The revamped Special Olympics fitness app also played a big role in keeping her motivated. “Seeing my position on the leaderboard helped challenge me to do better.”
Not everything came easily. “The hardest part was making sure I ate enough fruits and vegetables every day, but I really did enjoy them,” she smiled. Melanie stayed committed, proving exactly why the SONA Move Challenge is such a powerful tool for building lifelong wellness.
Training for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games
Melanie will compete in the 200-meter freestyle, 200-meter individual medley, and a freestyle swimming relay at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. Her training is already well underway, and she credits both SONA Move and her Fitbit for helping her stay on track.
As June approaches, Melanie’s anticipation is building. “I am very excited and looking forward to meeting athletes from all the different states at [the] USA Games,” she says.
Celebrating Health, Community, and Confidence
Melanie’s success in the SONA Move Challenge is a testament to the power of accessible health programming, and the strength of athletes who embrace it. The challenge fosters community, accountability, and positive mental health, all while helping athletes prepare for the sports they love.
Her journey is a reminder of what’s possible when athletes are supported with the right tools, encouragement, and opportunities to grow.
Special Olympics Illinois will be cheering loudly for Melanie this June, and if her SONA Move performance is any indication, she’s just getting started.
Learn more about the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games Illinois delegation. Download the Special Olympics Fitness App on Google Play or Apple.
by lauryn | Mar 19, 2026 | Athletes, Mission Focused, Organizational Impact, Region D, Region H, Sports, State Tournaments, UCS/Unified, Volunteers
By Randy Kindred and Lily Goodfellow
Tom White won more than 400 games in 26 seasons as Chicago De La Salle Institute’s boys head basketball coach. There were a lot of highs in a career that earned him induction into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Yet, White will tell you there were some “hard years” in which “people are transferring on you and there are things you don’t see.”
White coaches the game in a different environment these days, and it’s given him something new, special. His De La Salle/Southside team fell a bit short in its quest for a fourth straight IHSA Unified State Basketball Division 2 championship, but that was OK. White and his players had a third-place trophy Saturday and, more importantly, each other.
“In some of my years as a boys varsity coach … I don’t know if I was told too much that they loved me,” White said. “In this, they tell you they love you. They want to hug you. I think it’s a human need a little bit. It’s good to be appreciated like that instead of criticized.”
The weekend also featured the Special Olympics Illinois State Basketball Tournament in Bloomington-Normal. Among those at Illinois State’s Horton Field House was Mitzi Vasconcelles, a retired Springfield police officer who has volunteered at Special Olympics Illinois events for decades.
On the Court With Southside Unified
Southside defeated East St. Louis, 67-46, in the third-place game at the University of Illinois’ Activities and Recreation Center (ARC) in Champaign. That came after a 49-40 semifinal loss to Bradley Bourbonnais the previous day. Bradley Bourbonnais took second place Saturday behind champion Chicago Vaughn Occupational High School & St. Patrick High School.
This was White’s fourth year coaching Southside Unified, and while another state title was not to be, “It’s pretty darn good to be here,” he said.
“You get your school, the non-special needs kids, and every year you get different kids,” White said. “This year, our soccer team was state champs. Most of these kids who are De La Salle students (on Southside Unified) are soccer players. It makes a difference.
“It (Unified) is a cool thing. I think it’s something that high school kids need in order to appreciate who they are, what they are.”
Brandon Dorsey was part of Southside’s three-year championship run. An athlete with Special Olympics Illinois, he was a player for two years and a student assistant coach for one.
Dorsey and White were featured in an inspirational video at last year’s Special Olympics Illinois Champions Ball. Dorsey now attends Richard Daley Community College in Chicago and has a job at Jewel-Osco, but his impact on the team is still being felt, White said.
“He was just the nicest kid, played hard,” said White, who is in his 31st year as De La Salle’s athletic director. “He’s like my kid a little bit. He would be the glue behind the team. He just said the right things. His disabilities were not anything of what his heart was and his head was. He saw things and understood things.
“Awesome kid, and he still has remnants in this program. He would say NWG .. Now We Go! Then everybody would start dancing and stuff.”
Dorsey said he joined a teammate to create “hype” for Southside through music.
“My teammate is a rapper and I am a music producer, so we’d create a rap song to get the team hyped up before our game started,” he said.
Dorsey believes he is still reaping the benefits of being with Southside Unified.
“Now that I’m in college, I feel like I carry that with me,” he said. “It’s for like, ‘work as a team, do your part.’ I deal with that with work and with school, so whatever I’m doing that does not involve basketball, I feel like I’m still in it because you’re working as a group.”
Learn more and view results from the 2026 IHSA Unified State Basketball Tournament.
The Heart Behind the Medals
Vasconcelles is a Region H volunteer who got involved in Special Olympics Illinois long before she retired from the Springfield Police Department in 2002.
Her first event was the Spring Games in Springfield and she was one of only five volunteers, something she said “is unheard of today.”
Vasconcelles was among those handing out awards and medals at the State Basketball Tournament. At the Summer Games tournament, she works on the track.
She said she enjoys both roles, as well as regional and local events. Earlier this month, she volunteered at the Springfield area’s Polar Plunge, which raised more than $130,000 for Special Olympics Illinois. Asked if she participates in the Polar Plunge, she said, “I do not. As I tell people, I am the last sane person they see before they go in the water.”
Among her favorite aspects of volunteering is seeing the joy of the athletes when they receive their medals.
“Oh, they’re so exuberant. They’re so proud of themselves,” Vasconcelles said. “It’s been a long weekend for some, you know. And this is the culmination of all their hard work. That’s what’s special. And what’s really fun is no matter how they place, they’re excited.
“I mean, I like to say it’s true athletic competition. Everybody is pulling for everybody. And if you watch the games, if somebody falls down, somebody’s there to help them up. I mean, it’s wonderful.”
Vasconcelles said she has come to know numerous coaches and families as a Special Olympics Illinois volunteer, including many from Chatham. She has a treasure trove of fond memories as a volunteer, too many to choose a favorite, she said.
Asked for a word to describe herself, she replied, “Humble, I guess. Humble to be around all these wonderful athletes.”
Learn more and view results from the 2026 State Basketball Tournament.
