Amanda Baummann

Athlete of the Month

Amanda became a Special Olympics Colorado athlete 22 years ago when she was 14 years old. Her friends, Greg, Jeff and Chris encouraged her to get involved and she never looked back. Since then, she’s competed in skiing, snowboarding, basketball, and gymnastics. Amanda is also a triathlete and began competing in triathlons in 2019.

Amanda’s favorite part about being involved with Special Olympics is getting to be a Fitness Captain and coaching Young Athletes. She became a Fitness Captain 3 years ago because she loves helping people and wanted to help Young Athletes, which turned into wanting to coach them. In the future, she hopes to coach Young Athletes in swimming, track and field and cycling.

Her favorite memory goes all the way back to when she was first getting involved. She said she used to be scared of Law Enforcement, but when she won her first medal, an officer told her not to be scared and that they were there for the athletes. “And now I’m friends with all of them,” exclaimed Amanda.

Additionally, Amanda fondly remembers when she was inducted into the Special Olympics Colorado Hall of Fame as Female Athlete of the Year and also attended the Special Olympics World Games, both in 2017.

Amanda hopes to continue spreading awareness about Special Olympics Colorado and getting more athletes involved. She is currently writing a story about Special Olympics for her American Sign Language Class and one day hopes to be an ASL interpreter at a State Competition.

Congratulations on being recognized as the September Athlete of the Month, Amanda!

Brenda Shephard

Volunteer of the Month

Brenda first for involved with Special Olympics when she was 14 years old in Wasilla, Alaska in 1996 where she was a basketball coach. She coached up until this year and is now involved in selling Special Olympics Colorado merchandise at events in the Western Region. “I still get to see all of our amazing athletes, I just now get to help with funding the events,” explained Brenda.

Throughout her time with Special Olympics, Brenda said she has enjoyed watching athletes grow and succeed. Some of her favorite memories include watching her son Gibson, an athlete, win gold, watching him light the torch at a Torch Run, and helping make balloon animals at State Summer Games.

Brenda mentioned that Special Olympics Colorado has made a huge impact not only on her but on her family as well. “Special Olympics Colorado has given me and my family the opportunities to make certain dreams come true,” she said. “For example, making balloon animals for the kids, seeing my son hold the torch and lighting the flame, watching my son bowl his own way for the first time and hitting the pins, while competing and just being one of the kids. All of these things would not have been possible without me volunteering for the Special Olympics.”

When she’s not volunteering with Special Olympics Colorado, she is a full-time caregiver to Gibson and homeschools all 3 of her children. “The eldest is a senior in high school and just started the fire academy,” she explained. “My middle son specializes in music and my youngest is in 4th grade and loves all things science.” Additionally, Brenda enjoys baking and is just starting up her cookie business and also loves to quilt and garden.

We are excited to recognize Brenda as the September Volunteer of the Month. Congratulations, Brenda!