PRESS RELEASE
September 25, 2007

Outstanding Honorees announced at Banquet

Special Olympics Montana 
Distinguished Service Awards

(Great Falls, Montana) Special Olympics Montana recipients of the prestigious statewide Distinguished Service Awards during its annual Fall Leadership Conference September 21-23 in Great Falls. The Montana State University - College of Technology/Great Falls hosted the event. Other support was provided by the Joseph N. Blankenbaker Charitable Foundation; Burlington Resources Foundation; the Charlotte Y. Martin Foundation; and the Oro y Plata Foundation. Individuals, organizations and businesses from across the state were recognized for their outstanding contributions to Special Olympics Montana. 

The recipients were nominated statewide by volunteers, coaches, sponsors, families and supporters of Special Olympics Montana and selected by a committee representing the organization's various constituents such as athletes, coaches, Board of Directors, families, Area Directors and staff. Nearly 300 guests assembled at the Great Falls International Airport's Panorama Room to celebrate the spirit of Special Olympics with dinner, music and recognition of the award recipients. The 2007 World Games in Shanghai, The Peoples Republic of China, were also featured during the banquet to highlight and send off Montana's delegation to that event. 

Following are the statewide recipients of the 2007 Special Olympics Montana Distinguished Service Awards:

Special Olympics Montana 2006 ATHLETE OF THE YEAR - Anton Veverka, RICHEY

Anton Veverka, Special Olympics athlete from Richey, was recently named the 2007 Special Olympics Montana Athlete of the Year. During the organization's annual Distinguished Service Awards banquet in Great Falls, Veverka was held up as the athlete who epitomizes the spirit of a true winner by a willingness to help others and give his very best while displaying outstanding courage and sportsmanship.

Veverka is a distance runner who competes not only in Special Olympics but is also a regular competitor in the Big Sky State Games. During that event recently in Billings, he placed fourth in his age group for his favored event, the 1500m. In 2003, Veverka competed in the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland where won received a gold medal in that event, besting a challenging runner from Venezuela to do so. His best time for the 1500m is 5:06. Veverka also trains and competes in shot put in bowling. 

In addition to outstanding athleticism, Veverka is recognized for his discipline and a positive demeanor that supports his teammates. Coach Debbie Sevier, Glendive, says, "Coaching Anton is a breeze because he is self-motivated and is a skilled miler." When he is not involved in Special Olympics, Veverka works on the family farm near Richey and at the Black Bridge Fitness Center in Glendive. 

Special Olympics Montana HALL OF FAME - WyAnn Northrop, MISSOULA

The Special Olympics Montana Hall of Fame Award notes lifetime achievement by a person or persons who give the highest service to the mission of Special Olympics. In 2007, the award was given to WyAnn Northrop of Missoula. She was honored during the organization's annual Distinguished Service Awards Banquet in Great Falls recently. A recipient of the Hall of Fame award has given at least fifteen years of service and has charted new levels of excellence by enriching the lives of Special Olympics athletes. 

Involved in Special Olympics as a volunteer since she was in high school, WyAnn Northrop is currently a special education teacher at Big Sky High School in Missoula. She coordinates the Special Olympics program for all Missoula high school students during the fall, winter and spring/summer seasons. Northrop is also certified as a Special Olympics coach in numerous sports and has achieved clinician status for the organization whereby she trains other Special Olympics coaches. 

Those nominating her for the Hall of Fame award praise Ms. Northrop's advocacy for individuals with disabilities, saying that "she has made it her mission to educate others about Special Olympics and about people with disabilities so that respect, understanding and love are the foundation of relationships. She simply does not think about differences." 

Ms. Northrop joins such notables as Jim Kack, Bozeman; the Bob Oakland family and Dr. Joseph Brinkley of Great Falls in the Special Olympics Montana Hall of Fame.

THE SPIRIT OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS - Reg Heikkila, GREAT FALLS

This award is given to a volunteer who, through a long term commitment to Special Olympics Montana, best exemplifies the dedication and unselfish efforts associated with the true spirit of Special Olympics.

Great Falls Public Schools Life Skills teacher Reg Heikkila was honored with this award for her 11 years of dedicated service to Special Olympics Montana. Ms. Heikkila has been involved in nearly every aspect of Special Olympics. She is a coach, a mentor, a trainer, a leader and the athletes' biggest fan. Ms. Heikkila has represented Montana as a coach at both the USA National Games and the World Games. She is described as being the type of person who "expects the best, gives her best, and gets the same in return."

Outstanding FAMILY OF THE YEAR - Cherie, Tom, Healy and Matthew Lyons, GREAT FALLS

The Lyons family of Great Falls makes unique and lasting contributions to the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities through Special Olympics Montana and was honored for doing so during the organization's annual Distinguished Service Awards Banquet in Great Falls recently.

As parents of Special Olympics athlete Matthew Lyons, Cherie and Tom, along with daughter Healy, are involved in all phases of the Special Olympics program. Each family member is a longtime volunteer and supporter in numerous ways. From 2006-2008 while the State Summer Games are in Great Falls, Cherie Bowman-Lyons has volunteered as a director of the large-scale special events. Tom Lyons and his family built a pirate ship for the 2007 Games in Great Falls which the family then gave away during the event. Healy Lyons is a busy youth volunteer for the organization and supports her brother, Matthew, who participates in bowling, and track and field. The entire family was honored for the time and dedication they give to Special Olympics Montana athletes everywhere.

Outstanding COACH OF THE YEAR - Nicole Knight, BILLINGS

Nicole Knight of Billings was recently honored as the Special Olympics Montana Outstanding Coach of the Year for 2007 during the organization's annual Distinguished Service Awards Banquet in Great Falls. She is recognized as a volunteer and certified Special Olympics coach who demonstrates the technical skill, commitment and compassion needed to train athletes for competition and for life. 

Nicole Knight is cited for her professionalism and excellent work with Special Olympics powerlifters. A competitive powerlifter herself, she works with Billings athletes who compete not only in Special Olympics but also in the Big Sky State Games. In 2007, Special Olympics athletes Vivienne Shockley and Buzz Toliver earned gold and bronze medals, respectively, competing against the field at the Big Sky State Games. Because of that success, those same athletes have been invited to a major powerlifting competition in Idaho Falls. 

Ms. Knight's Special Olympics involvement includes her own certification as a coach; fundraising efforts; and overall commitment to the program. Athlete Vivienne Shockley describes her coach as a friend because, "She doesn't treat me any different than any other person." 

Outstanding ADULT VOLUNTEERS - Ray Mitchell, KALISPELL

Ray Mitchell from Kalispell was recognized at the Special Olympics Montana Distinguished Service Awards Banquet recently as the Outstanding Adult Volunteer in 2007 whose work serves to further the quality of Special Olympics program at the local, area or state level.

Formerly a Libby resident, Ray Mitchell currently resides in Kalispell but continues to coach his Special Olympics basketball team in Libby. The volunteer effort requires a weekly 200-mile round trip. Mitchell accompanied the Libby team, known as the Lincoln County Wolfpack, to the 2006 Special Olympics USA National Games in Ames, Iowa. In that setting, Mitchell played with the team as a Unified® Sports partner, combining players with and without disabilities.

A volunteer since 2001, Mitchell has strengthened and grown the Libby team from a faltering program then to a strong team today. In addition to his volunteer work with the Libby team, Mitchell also intends to begin volunteering with the Kalispell Schools Special Olympics program. 


Outstanding YOUTH VOLUNTEER - Nathan Topliff, WHITEFISH 

Nathan Topliff of Whitefish received the 2007 Outstanding Youth Volunteer award during Special Olympics Montana's annual Distinguished Service Awards Banquet in Great Falls. The award is given to the youth volunteer who is the best example of volunteerism by a youth that improves a Special Olympics program during 2007.

Topliff is an active high school student who volunteers for the Whitefish High School Special Olympics program as a coach and mentor. Sports involvement for the team includes aquatics, track and field, and alpine skiing. Topliff also mentors Special Olympics athletes who are public speakers. 
Topliff is interested in educating others about the abilities of Special Olympics athletes, and believes he can make a difference by breaking down stereotypes about people with disabilities. In addition to time given as a Special Olympics volunteer, Topliff is active as a youth leader for his church; works two jobs during the summer and wrestles for his high school. 

Outstanding LOCAL SPECIAL OLYMPICS PROGRAM - Bitterroot Stars, RAVALLI COUNTY 

The Bitterroot Stars of Ravalli County were recently named the Outstanding Special Olympics Montana local program during the organization's annual Distinguished Service Awards Banquet in Great Falls. As the program that best exemplifies the Special Olympics spirit and that provides a well-developed program for athletes, coaches, volunteers and families, the program received the award for 2007.

From its beginnings in 2004 as a team of about a dozen bowling athletes and two coaches, the Bitterroot Stars have grown in 2007 to a team of 36 with 24 coaches. The program fills a need for continued Special Olympics opportunity for athletes graduating from high school. Program leaders Sandy and Carl Russ, Stevensville, and a group of skilled volunteer coaches now involve the team in year-round sports training and competition including basketball, alpine and Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, aquatics, equestrian. Future plans for expansion include track and field events. 

Sandy and Carl Russ, along with the team's coaches, regularly attend training sessions to become certified Special Olympics coaches, as well as training conference opportunities presented by the Special Olympics organization. The team is honored for its growth and excellent opportunities for Special Olympics athletes. 

Outstanding CORPORATION OF THE YEAR - N.E.W. Customer Services Companies, Inc.  

N.E.W. Customer Service Companies, Inc. was honored as the "Outstanding Corporation of the Year." Sixteen N.E.W. employees and their families attended the banquet on Saturday night with a surprise guest. Senior VP of Operations Ray Zukowski flew in from Sterling Virginia to accept the award on behalf of N.E.W. Mr. Zukowski has made many trips to Great Falls in the past two years as the Honorary Chairman of the Special Olympics Montana State Summer Games.

N.E.W. is the Premier Sponsor of the State Summer Games while they are being held in Great Falls 2006-2008. As Premier Sponsor, N.E.W. has provided cash contribution of $30,000 each year, totaling $90,000 in all to support the Games. In addition, N.E.W. Director of Communications Center Operations for Great Falls, Greg Maltby, serves as the Games Co-Director, leading nearly 1,800 local volunteers in organizing and hosting the Games. N.E.W. employees give their time and talent to Special Olympics as volunteers. They have participated in everything from holding stopwatches at sports competitions to cooking up batches of chili for a chili cook-off to benefit Special Olympics Montana. Recently N.E.W. corporate offices committed to provide $50,000 to sponsor the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China.

Outstanding MEDIA SUPPORT - Liberty County Times, CHESTER

The Liberty County Times of Chester received the Outstanding Media Support Distinguished Service Award for 2007 at the Special Olympics Montana Distinguished Service Award Banquet in Great Falls recently. The award is given to the media outlet or individual who, through media support, has made significant contributions to Special Olympics Montana. Paul Overlie, publisher and editor of The Liberty County Times, was on hand to receive the award. 

The Liberty County Times was cited for setting the media standard on behalf of Special Olympics Montana athletes. In 2007, the Times gave significant print space to a new local team, the Chester Cheetahs, and their Special Olympics endeavors. Regular notices about practices and events appeared on the front page, while results and photos were printed in the sports section to give Special Olympics athletes equal billing with all other athletes in the area. 

Special Olympics program coordinator, Ginny Gleason, credits editor and publisher Paul Overlie for excellent reporting and extensive coverage of the small team, and for playing a key role in bringing the Chester community together to support the team. Those efforts were key to staging a welcome-home event on the team's return from the 2007 State Summer Games in Great Falls. 

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About Special Olympics
Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion between people with and without intellectual disabilities. Through year-round sports training and athletic competition and other related programming for 1.4 million children and adults with intellectual disabilities in more than 150 countries, Special Olympics has created a model community that celebrates people's diverse gifts. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. There is no cost to participate in Special Olympics. Visit Special Olympics online at www.specialolympics.org

Contact: Vicki Dunham, VP Field Services
vdunham@somt.org

Special Olympics Montana
PO Box 3507
Great Falls, MT  59403
1-800-242-6876
406-216-5327