To our Athletes and Volunteers,
I would like to let you know that I am stepping away from my role as VP, Sports with SOPA at the end of April. I am not yet sure what the next step in my life will be, but I know it is important to prioritize my family. Over the past 12 years you have taught me so much about resilience, determination and living life to the fullest. There are no words big enough to fully capture what you have given me, but I want to try. Serving as Vice President of Sports for SOPA has been one of the greatest honors of my life and the truth is simple: you are the reason why.
To our athletes – you are the heart of this movement. You taught me, again and again, what courage looks like. You showed me that joy is a choice, that resilience is built one brave moment at a time, and that winning has nothing to do with medals and everything to do with showing up as your full, authentic self. Watching you train, compete, celebrate, and lift one another has changed me forever. You reminded me why sport matters, not because of perfection, but because of possibility.
To our volunteers – you are the quiet heroes behind every successful moment. You give your time, your energy, your patience, and your love without hesitation. Early mornings, long days, unpredictable weather, last minute changes you met it all with smiles (most of the time 😊) and unwavering commitment. You believed in our athletes, often before they believed in themselves, and that belief made all the difference. Special Olympics does not exist without you.
Together, you created something extraordinary. You built communities where everyone belongs. You turned fields, courts, pools, and gyms into places of dignity, inclusion, and joy. You proved every single day that sports can change lives.
Thank you for trusting me, even when you really didn’t want to. Thank you taking me under your wing and allowing me to walk beside you. Thank you for reminding me what truly matters. I will always carry your stories, your laughter, your determination, and your love with me. This chapter may be closing, but what we have built together will continue to grow, thrive, and inspire.
Keep setting BIG goals and showing the world exactly who you are; I will be right there cheering you on!
With endless gratitude and so much love,
Michelle
