Special Olympics Alberta: King Charles III Coronation Medal Honourees

The King Charles III Coronation Medal celebrates Canadians who have made outstanding contributions to their communities—and this year, several remarkable individuals from the Special Olympics Alberta community were among those honoured.

From program builders and longtime volunteers to passionate advocates and athlete leaders, each recipient has helped grow the movement across the province and championed the values of inclusion, empowerment, and civic service.

Below, we invite you to learn more about the Special Olympics Alberta recipients and their incredible contributions to building a more inclusive Canada.

Amanda Trenchard

Amanda Trenchard is a hard working and well travelled volunteer in Special Olympics, having gone to the World Games both as an official and a coach.

She is best known as a champion for female athletes in Special Olympics, having coached for Team Canada’s Women’s Soccer in the 2023 Berlin World Games.

Faye St. Onge

Coaching in 5-pin bowling, softball, floor hockey, and bocce for close to four decades, Faye St. Onge’s volunteer journey started when she enrolled her daughter Jody into Special Olympics Alberta. Together, the two made it onto Team Alberta for the 2020 National Winter Games.

Karen Mengerson

Olds & District Special Olympics chair member Karen Mengerson is the proud mother of Special Olympics Alberta athlete Mark, who shares her last name. Karen is also the 2023 winner of a Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of the twenty years she spent advocating for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

Theressa Garangan

Special Olympics is built off the time that volunteers tirelessly dedicate towards making sure our programs run smoothly, but some volunteers go well above and beyond. Theresa Garangan has reached her 25 year milestone in Special Olympics, acting as an Alpine Skiing coach and member of the Law Enforcement Torch Run. One athlete she trained—Andreas Walther—competed in the 2024 National Winter Games. Outside of Special Olympics, Thereas works as a detective in the Calgary Police, and she is a proud mother of two.