18 Jul Seeking Nominees for Distinguished Service
You are invited to nominate individuals and groups who have made significant contributions to Special Olympics Montana during 2021-2022.
The Distinguished Service Awards are the most prestigious awards given by Special Olympics Montana. Nominations are received from Special Olympics Montana volunteers, coaches, parents, and athletes. A selection committee is appointed to review the submissions and is charged with the difficult task of selecting a winner in each award category.
Please encourage athletes to nominate their outstanding volunteers and coaches, too! If any athletes need assistance nominating someone, call Nancy Undercofler, 406-564-0522.
The deadline to submit nominations is Monday, August 1, 2022.
Terri Siefke of Kalispell received the 2021 Hall of Fame award.
Nominations can be submitted for the following eight categories:
- Special Olympics Montana Athlete of the Year – For the athlete who epitomizes the spirit of a true winner by a willingness to help others dataand give his or her very best while displaying outstanding courage and sportsmanship.
- Outstanding Adult Volunteer – For the best example of a currently registered adult volunteer that serves to improve the quality of Special Olympics at the local, area or chapter level.
- Outstanding Family –For the family of a Special Olympics athlete that makes unique and lasting contributions to the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities through Special Olympics Montana.
- Outstanding Unified Champion School – For a K-12 Unified Champion School that effectively and successfully embraces Unified Sports, Youth Leadership and Advocacy, and Whole School Engagement.
- Outstanding Coach – For the volunteer or professional who, as a certified Special Olympics coach in any official Special Olympics sport, best demonstrates the high degree of technical skill, commitment and compassion needed to motivate and train athletes for competition and for life.
- Outstanding Youth Volunteer – For the best example of volunteerism by a youth 18 years or under that serves to improve the quality of Special Olympics program and models a world of acceptance, respect, and inclusion.
- Outstanding Local Special Olympics Program – For the accredited Special Olympics program that shows the greatest improvement, best exemplifies the Special Olympics spirit and concept, and provides a well developed year-round program for the athletes, coaches, volunteers and families of Special Olympics Montana.
- Hall of Fame – Qualifying volunteer must have given a minimum 15 years of service to Special Olympics Montana. This award recognizes the lifetime achievement of an individual who has given exemplary service to the mission of Special Olympics Montana. This individual has charted new levels of excellence and enriched the lives of Special Olympics athletes and our community with strength of character, wonderful spirit, compassion and insightful leadership.