Gabby has been a Special Olympics Colorado Athlete for 10 years through Denver Parks & Recreation and the Cherry Creek programs. She participates in volleyball, tennis, and her favorite sport, swimming.

Gabby also is a Fitness Captain which has given her the skills to lead warm-ups and stretches for her team. She attends every Fitness Captain workshop she can to enhance her skills. Gabby is super spunky and has a contagiously happy personality! Congratulations, Gabby!

Jeff Steron
Male Athlete of the Month

Jeff has been participating in Special Olympics for 37 years! He competes in both bowling and golf, with his favorite sport being the latter. Jeff started working at Special Olympics Arizona in 1982 and in 2016, he joined the team here at Special Olympics Colorado.

Off the field, one of Jeff’s favorite pastimes is listing to music. Jeff competed as a golfer in the State Summer Classic and took home a silver medal! Way to go, Jeff!

Kelton Coppinger:
Coach of the Month

Kelton has been a coach for Smoky Hill High School Unified teams for 4 years! He keeps himself busy between coaching basketball, track, pom squad/cheerleading, and flag football. He was first introduced to Special Olympics as a kid when he helped his dad in setting up and running Special Olympics Wyoming winter events.

When asked about how Special Olympics has changed his life, he said the impact has been life-changing and that he learns from his athletes every day.

“I am taught humility, respect, compassion, and honesty. I have learned to be the voice for the voiceless and advocate along with teaching advocacy to those who sometimes have a hard time doing it. Coaching with the Unified team is an amazing experience, I look forward to every game and every competition; seeing the joy and happiness that these events bring out is such a great experience that I love to be a part of as much as possible,” said Kelton.

Thank you for being such an outstanding coach, Kelton!

Air Force Academy Volunteers
Volunteer of the Month

With the State Summer Classic presented by the Smile Generation moving to the Air Force Academy, SOCO was in need of lots of volunteers to help staff the event.

The AFA athletic department stepped up to the plate and recruited volunteers from their tennis and track & field teams, among other student-athletes. We wouldn’t have been able to run the state competition without you, Air Force Academy team!

Thank you for all of your time and support, Air Force Academy volunteers!

The Hall Family
Family of the Month

Julian and Jordan Hall have been Special Olympics Colorado athletes through the Denver Parks and Recreation Program since 2005. Their mom, Charlotte, and dad, Gary, make it a point to cheer them on at every practice and competition with their traveling cooler and lawn chairs!

Both Julian and Jordan participate in tennis, flag football, bowling, basketball, and track & field. Julian competed at the Special Olympics USA Games in Aimes, Iowa in 2006 and Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles California in 2015. Julian’s favorite sport is flag football, while Jordan’s favorite sport is bowling.

Charlotte says Special Olympics Colorado has been a great experience for both of them with the friendships they have made, the confidence they have achieved, and the healthy lifestyle they live, all being attributed to SOCO!

Congrats to the entire Hall family for all that you do to make this world a more inclusive place!

Charles Schwab
Community Partner of the Month