This month, we celebrate Amanda Sechrist, who is a Local Program Team Lead for Northampton County. For more than 27 years, Amanda has been a cornerstone of Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA), with 21 of those years spent as a Team Lead with unmatched dedication. As an adaptive physical education teacher with Colonial IU 20, Amanda’s journey with SOPA began in the classroom. What started as part of her school-based programming quickly evolved into a lifelong commitment fueled by deep, meaningful relationships with her athletes and their families.
What keeps Amanda returning year after year is the privilege of watching her students grow, sometimes from age five all the way into adulthood, and staying connected to them long after they leave her classroom. Whether she is coaching at local competitions or preparing athletes for USA Games, Amanda has become a steady, trusted presence in the lives of so many. Her athletes know she will push them toward independence, cheer for them with everything she has, and occasionally sneak them a soda.
Outside of her work with SOPA, Amanda also runs her local Miracle League and is deeply rooted in her community, something she credits to the relationships built through many years of volunteering. Her coaching peers have become family, and those connections allow her to create even more opportunities for athletes to feel supported, included, and proud.
Amanda’s impact is undeniable. Her commitment, heart, and humor have shaped countless athletes’ lives, and she is looking forward to celebrating those accomplishments soon with a well-earned Caribbean getaway for her birthday (celebrating alongside other SOPA volunteers). We are grateful to have her, and she is so deserving of this month’s spotlight.
