Special Olympics BC Local
SOBC Provincial Office
When and how did you get involved with Special Olympics?
Through a job opening as Communications Coordinator in August 2022!
Will this be your first Special Olympics Canada Games? If not, which other National Games were you part of and in what role(s)?
Yes.
What does it mean to you to be part of Special Olympics Team BC 2024?
Being a part of SO Team BC 2024 is such an exciting opportunity for me to see the amazing abilities of our athletes and be a part of their journey that makes them so amazing in the first place! As the mission staff for Communications and for the figure skating team, I feel privileged and eager to passionately share the many stories of the athletes and coaches on how Special Olympics has changed their lives, as well as their memories and achievements when they actually compete at National Games!
What is/are your goal(s) for these National Games?
As the mission staff for the figure skating team, my goal is to support the athletes and coaches to the best of my ability in whatever area that is needed, so they can compete and coach at their best at National Games!
As the communications mission staff, I aim to share exciting and inspiring storylines, photos, results, and much more, to give SO Team BC the spotlight that they deserve.
What is your favourite Special Olympics experience to date?
My favourite Special Olympics experience is being at the 2023 SOBC Winter Games. This was my first big official competition I attended and helped out at, and seeing the athletes compete in-person was so heartwarming and inspiring! The joy that the athletes have when they compete and interact with friends is unmatched!
What does competing at National Games mean to your athletes? (or, if this is your first National Games, competition in general)
Competing at National Games means the world to them. This is a chance for all of them to show Canada how hard they have worked to get to the national stage and be celebrated for who they are as athletes and as people.
What storylines are you excited to see develop in your SO Team BC sport team leading up to the National Games?
Our figure skating team is a diverse group of people! Some have never been to National Games, and some have been before. I love seeing the mentor-mentee dynamics between some of the figure skaters, where an athlete is taking another under their wing. It just shows how connected the team is and that leadership within the team is very valuable and impactful, and hopefully this will be seen when they all compete!
What would you say about Special Olympics to encourage someone to get involved?
Getting involved with Special Olympics is rewarding for yourself and for others. It's a unique opportunity and community where everyone willingly gives and receives. Either as an athlete or volunteer, you give encouragement, friendship, inclusion, and mentorship to others, while receiving all of those things back yourself from other people. And this exchange is one that will change your life and give you an enhanced meaning of what inclusion, friendship, and fun truly looks like!