Each year, many deserving nominees are brought forth for consideration for each of the awards. The Distinguished Service Awards nomination process is in place to ensure that the best of the best are selected each year.
Up to ten nominations are accepted for each award – if there are fewer than three nominations for any individual award, that award will not be given that year). The nomination window is open from January until July. In September, the selection committee, made up of past award recipients, LPCs, coaches, athletes, LETR officers, staff members, and board members from all over the state, evaluate all nominees and rank them, based on the qualifications listed in each nomination.
The process is “blind” in that the names of the nominees, where they are from, and the names of the nominators are all hidden from the selection committee.
In November at State Basketball, the Athlete of the Year* and the Local Program of the Year* are announced at the Opening Ceremony (*provided those recipients are present at SBB). In January, most other awards are announced on social media and on this page. Those awards will be presented to the recipients in person during the early part of the year at events in each respective recipient’s area. Finally, in May at State Summer Games, the Hall of Fame and Spirit of Special Olympics recipients will be announced at the Opening Ceremony.
Ways to Nominate
Start by downloading the packet linked below..
Traditional Narrative
Nomination
Write a narrative about the nominee. Add supporting documentation from others if you wish.
Short Answer
Nomination
Answer questions about the nominee in 2-4 sentences each. Add supporting documentation from others if you wish.
Recorded Audio or Video
Nomination
Record yourself talking about the nominee in a five minute video. Add supporting documentation from others if you wish.
Phone Call
Nomination
Schedule a time for a phone call to talk about your nominee. Add supporting documentation from others if you wish.
