Tammy Davidson
Female Athlete of the Month
Special Olympics Colorado (SOCO) athlete, Tammy Davidson has been competing for 25 years! A fun fact about Tammy- she was selected to go to Japan for the Special Olympics World Winter Games in 2005!
Tammy’s favorite memory with SOCO is when she got to sing with the Unified Voices Choir at this year’s Hall of Fame Luncheon. Tammy is looking forward to competing in ice skating during the winter season!
Tammy is also a member of the Athlete Leadership University Program (ALPs U), and attended our most recent fall semester of ALPs U, where she majored in Health!
When she’s not competing, Tammy works at King Soopers and performs with the Phamaly Theater Company. She also enjoys working out and staying healthy.
Congratulations, Tammy on being the Female Athlete of the Month!
Cody Stewart
Male Athlete of the Month
Cody Stewart has been competing for three years as a Special Olympics Colorado athlete, in various sports including flag football, basketball, softball, bowling, and track field.
According to his mom, Holli, Special Olympics has given Cody an outlet to be with people just like him. He’s learned how to be a good sport, cheer on his teammates, and stay competitive in a healthy way. Holli says Cody feeds off of positivity because competitions are always a positive environment.
Cody is an amazing team player- even when he doesn’t do as well as he hoped at competitions, he still cheers on for his teammates!
In his free time, Cody has two dogs he enjoys hanging out with. He also loves playing video games!
Congratulations, Cody, on being recognized as the November Male Athlete of the Month!
Ann Gilardino
Coach of the Month
Ann has been coaching Special Olympics bowling for four over years.
Throughout her time coaching, it has been inspiring for her to the athletes improve in many ways. “Not only do they learn the game of bowling and become more skilled, but their confidence, social skills and independence blossoms,” says Ann.
Ann enjoys coaching because she truly loves the people, both the athletes and their families. “We celebrate together, grieve together and learn together,” Ann says. She loves watching the athletes change and grow from year to year and says it is simply the best part of her week!
Congratulations, Ann on being November’s Coach of the Month!
The Shukie Family
Family of the Month
When the Shukie family moved to Colorado, their daughter Nadia was only a year old. Although she was too young to compete for Special Olympics Colorado, they immediately got involved in the Polar Plunge. They even finished as the top fundraising team!
John explained that being involved in Special Olympics Colorado has been great for the entire Shukie family. Nadia’s sisters, Marisol and Sofia, have cheered on Nadia’s accomplishments with Special Olympics Colorado since the beginning. It also has connected them to a community of families and friends that have been irreplaceable sources of encouragement, support and knowledge.
“My favorite part about Special Olympics Colorado is seeing the joy on Nadia’s face when she accomplishes something that she doubted she could do,” said John. “It’s the little moments like that, which really drive home the important role that Special Olympics can play in the physical and mental development of our children.”
Congratulations to the Shukie family on being the November Family of the Month!
Shannon McHugh
Volunteers of the Month
This winter will mark 8 years that Shannon has been involved with Special Olympics Colorado. She first got involved when she lived in Durango, Colorado.
Shannon spends her Saturdays volunteering with the Challenge Aspen locals program, where she skis and trains with the athlete she’s partnered with in giant slalom and slalom. Together, they train for multiple competitions throughout the winter. This will be her fourth year with Challenge Aspen, and she has been partnered with the same athlete, Ella Munk for the last three years. Shannon has loved seeing Ella grow each year while getting to travel together to regional and state competitions.
“I really am impressed by all the opportunity Special Olympics has to offer every single athlete that wants to be a part of something,” says Shannon. Shannon continues to volunteer each year because it is so rewarding to see athletes get their chance to compete, and have a sense of teamwork and accomplishment.Thank you, Shannon, for all you do for Special Olympics Colorado. Congratulations on being November’s Volunteer of the Month!
Safeway
Community Partner of the Month
Safeway has been an Annual Partner of Special Olympics Colorado for more than 10 years!
In addition to being a Gold Level Annual Sponsor, Safeway has sponsored the Female Athlete of the Year award at the Annual Hall of Fame Luncheon.
Safeway has also been the Hospitality Sponsor at our Annual State Summer Games, making sure our athletes have healthy options to eat while competing throughout the weekend.
Safeway has held numerous in-store bagging challenges featuring Special Olympics Colorado athletes and local celebrities! They also employ many of our athletes, including Erin Holloway, who worked at Safeway for 25 years!
Thank you, Safeway, for supporting Special Olympics Colorado year after year. We are happy to recognize you as our 2019 November Community Partner of the Month!