May 2022 Change Makers
Hannah Posey
Hannah PoseyAthlete of the Month
Hannah has been competing for Special Olympics Colorado for just a few months, as she recently moved to Colorado. So far, she has competed in basketball, softball, soccer and powerlifting.
Hannah’s favorite part about being Special Olympics Colorado is being with her friends and accomplishing a goal.
This spring season, Hannah has been competing in powerlifting. She has only been powerlifting for a few month and decided to take up the sport because she had friends competing as well. “Deadlift is definitely her jam,” said Scott, Hannah’s father. “She deadlifted 145 pounds at regionals.”
Scott said Special Olympics is a way for Hannah to be with her peer group without some of the typical high school shenanigans. He said this is also the first time she has had the opportunity to be supported and cheered on as an athlete and it has given Hannah a great confidence boost.
Congratulations, Hannah, on being recognized as the May Athlete of the Month!
The Zitek Family
The Zitek FamilyFamily of the Month
The first Special Olympics Colorado sport Andie Zitek competed in was basketball. She had been playing on a typical basketball team and it wasn’t going very well. A teacher at her school suggested Special Olympics but her mother, Christina, said she really wasn’t sure it would be a good fit. “Clearly, I was wrong,” said Christina. “That was 18 years ago and she has added swimming, skiing, tennis, soccer, track and field, flag football, and volleyball to her list of sports.”
Christina mentioned that Andie loves to tell people how her brother, Erik, was her first swim coach. He also coached volleyball, and skiing and was also on the Development Committee of the Special Olympics Colorado Board of Directors.
Andie’s brother-in-law, Grayson, has coached snowboarding and soccer and currently sits on the Special Olympics Colorado Young Professionals Board with her. In addition to the YPB, Grayson generously contributes to Special Olympics Colorado events through sponsorships and product donations.
Over the many years, Christina said that Andie has been given so many opportunities through Special Olympics Colorado. “We have loved every minute of cheering her on,” Christina stated. She explained that some of those highlights would be Andie competing on the Rapids Unified Soccer Team, at the X Games Unified Ski Race, the 2018 USA Games in Seattle, and now the USA Games 2022 in Orlando. “We also love it when she is asked to sing the National Anthem at any number of Special Olympics Colorado events,” Christina said.
“I know everyone always says that the friendships made through Special O’s are wonderful but that really is an understatement,” Christina mentioned. “Andie has always been very social but to watch an event where everyone (athletes, volunteers, coaches, unified partners, all the way up the ladder of the powers that be) is kind, engaging, inclusive, positive. I guarantee there is no place else like Special Olympics! It is such an important part of all of our lives…can’t imagine not having it!”
The Zitek family is involved with Special Olympics Colorado in numerous ways, and we couldn’t be more grateful to have them as part of our community. Congratulations on being recognized as the May Family of the Month!