Maddie is a 17-year-old student who lives in Heber, Utah who has participated in Unified Sports throughout high school and currently serves as co-president on the Special Olympics Utah Youth Activation Committee. She is an advocate for people with intellectual disabilities and believes that programming for intellectual disabilitiesall young people should be expanded around the world.
Maddie feels that there is not enough recognition that goes towards Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners who have participated in Unified Sports. She believes that they deserve to feel recognized and rewarded for the amazing skills, talents and abilities that they show.
Maddie’s plan is to host an awards event which focuses on celebrating Special Olympics athletes and coaches for their hard work, determination and perseverance throughout the season. She hopes to open the event to those all around Utah who deserve to be recognized for their talents.
Maddie’s goal in this project is for those individuals who have participated in Unified Sports throughout the year to feel recognized, honored and appreciated for their hard work. She hopes to combat the issue of Special Olympics athletes not getting the appreciation they deserve by hosting an events ceremony with the purpose of celebrating them.