Feature Stories

Local program coordinator extraordinaire Jeremy Mincey of Cumberland County is no stranger to the power of inclusive sports for both individuals with and without intellectual disabilities. In his … [Read more...] about Cumberland County Coordinator selected as Special Olympics North Carolina Coordinator of the Year

In the midst of this year’s Fall Tournament, Special Olympics Durham County soccer athlete Nick Vernon received news that his grandfather had passed away. With a full day of competition on the … [Read more...] about You’ve Got a Friend in Me

From early on in her life, Special Olympics Forsyth County athlete Makenzie Cote has known what it means to be a competitor. She has her family to thank for that. As she is rather shy in nature, … [Read more...] about All About the Smile – The Cote Family

There is a definite rhythm to mastering the sport of roller skating. A significant part of maintaining that rhythm is balance. Luckily, for Special Olympics Forsyth County athlete Emmanuel (Manny) … [Read more...] about Finding His Rhythm: Manny Zayas

To compete in the equestrian world, one must be overtly understanding of an animal and their needs. Special Olympics NC Dare County athlete Julius Levesque is no stranger to this world. Julius … [Read more...] about Athlete Spotlight: Julius Levesque

Nothing says familial bonding like rappelling down a 30-story skyscraper with your loved ones. That is exactly the challenge that mother-son pair Donna and Alex Jarmusz sought to conquer in this … [Read more...] about Family that Rappels Together, Excels Together: Going Over the Edge with the Jarmusz Family

The office of Special Olympics Australia in North Ryde, New South Wales is over 9,600 miles away from the headquarters of Special Olympics North Carolina in Morrisville, NC. That distance did not faze … [Read more...] about Unified Globally: North Carolina Students Travel to Special Olympics Australia

What do three different North Carolina counties, 12 years of Special Olympics experience and coaching all have in common? A guess for Ashley Anderson, local program coordinator of Special Olympics … [Read more...] about Gaston County’s Ashley Anderson Leads by Example

Selflessness, dedication and drive - these are the characteristics to describe the relationships that powerlifting athlete Keith Martin and his coach James Belk share with one another and … [Read more...] about Ultimate Strength

“It makes me feel like I can do anything,” bowling gold medalist Billy Callahan excitedly shared of the empowerment he receives from his participation in Special Olympics. Callahan recalls his first … [Read more...] about Gold Medals On and Off the Field: Billy Callahan