Billy Noss - Billy Noss, 70, started out in Special Olympics about 15 years ago playing softball and basketball. He was a talented guard on his basketball team, but his asthma proved to be a setback, so he happily took the title of water boy and stayed active by helping set up or clean up after games. He still participates in softball, playing catcher and outfielder, defying the common belief that Special Olympic sports are only for kids.

He barely takes notice of the ages of his teammates, saying “I think I’m the oldest…so far.”

Many people who know him, refer to Billy as the “Mayor of Eau Claire” because of his community involvement. He enjoys providing security for football and basketball games at Regis High School and at UW-Eau Claire, and also directs traffic at various events including the major music festival Country Jam. His favorite activity is flagging cars into parking spots. Billy is also a member of the Kiwanis Club of Eau Claire.

Justin Duranceau - Dreaming of one day joining the Navy or the Airforce, Justin Duranceau is a big fan of history class where he loves learning about military life and the Vietnam and Civil Wars.

When he’s not reading books or learning in the classroom, he’s competing on the playing field. Justin has trained and competed in Special Olympics basketball, track, and bowling. Football and NASCAR are also passions of his – he admires drivers Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. He has also proved to be a bit of a collector: he has NASCAR and eagle collections in his room.

Justin has competed in Special Olympics for two years now. His life is full of other activities, too: he has worked at Holiday Inn and Northern Valley Workshop, he likes to spend time playing with his nephews, and he enjoys all kinds of video games.

Alex Guild – A dedicated Special Olympics athlete, Alex Guild has participated in track and field, soccer, basketball, and bowling. But at the Winter Games this past January, Alex decided to try a new sport – snowshoeing. Despite only having two weeks to practice before the Games, Alex earned a gold medal in the 800 m Division 1 snowshoe race. Not only did he come in first place, but he was a good 45 seconds ahead of the second place winner. Not bad for someone’s first competition in a new sport!

“I think it was my stamina and my running training that helped me with snow shoeing,” Alex says about his success. He adds, “It is important to try new things because you never know if you may have God-given talent in something new.”

Staying active has helped Alex overcome his language and learning based disabilities. He enjoys hanging out with his friends, running in races through his school, and competing in his favorite team sports. He wishes Special Olympics had football, his number one favorite sport, but soccer and basketball are a close second and third.

In addition to his gold medal in snowshoeing, Alex has earned top honors in the Presidents Council on Physical Fitness's online President's Challenge Program, which helps a person document their daily physical activity. Last he checked, he is one of only two teens in all of Wisconsin who have earned a platinum medal in this program, the highest possible achievement. 

Marissa Moritz - Special Olympics Wisconsin athlete Marissa Moritz, from Tomahawk, loves competing and always feels like a winner no matter what the result. She runs the 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, and the 400 meter relay, which is her favorite. She also competes in the softball throw. Through these events she has taken home three gold, 11 silver and four bronze medals. She proudly displays them in her room along with a wall of 1st through 6th place ribbons.

Her father, Arthur Moritz said, “We are just proud parents. Marissa just loves to run and we love to watch her.” She has a sister, Makenzy, who is also very proud of her and gives her a pep talk before she competes in an event.  When not competing, Marissa likes to go camping, fishing and ride on her family’s ATV.

At the young age of 12, Marissa already knows that she wants to be a teacher when she grows up. Her parents believe that with her dedication and perseverance she will accomplish anything she sets in her sights.

Ann Hellmuth - Ann Hellmuth joined Special Olympics when she was nine years old and has participated in bocce, basketball, golf, softball, volleyball, speed skating and swimming. Her favorite sport is swimming and she has a long list of accomplishments to prove her talent.

Hellmuth has received 12 gold medals, eight silver and eight bronze for her athletic ability. She has also earned the opportunity to compete at two World Games: the 2001 World Winter Games in Alaska and the 1999 World Summer Games in North Carolina.

In addition to her athletic achievements, Hellmuth has also taken on leadership roles with Special Olympics. She is an athlete member of the Board of Directors for Special Olympics Wisconsin as well as a Global Messenger. These opportunities have allowed her to be in the spotlight doing media interviews or public presentations.

Hellmuth went to school in Evanston, IL for two years where she lived on her own and graduated with a degree in childcare. She now finds time to hold a full time job at Creative Learning childcare center. In her free time, Hellmuth enjoys bowling and is looking forward to taking art classes one evening a week

Christopher Jenkins - Christopher Jenkins is proud of his 16 years of participation with Special Olympics Wisconsin with Kaukauna Public Schools. Originally from Kaukauna, Wisconsin, Jenkins has trained in golf for ten years, and has earned a gold medal at the state level.

“I meet a lot of people, and it’s a lot of fun,” Jenkins said. “I’m proud of my accomplishments. I get to compete at the things I like to do. It’s changed my life for the better.”

Jenkins plans to compete in Golf at the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China. He has never competed in a World Games before and is excited. When asked what attending the World Games means to him, Jenkins said, “It’s exciting and interesting. I get to go someplace I never dreamed I would get to go.”

At 24 years old, Jenkins is sure to stand out at the Games as he stands 6 feet, 4 inches tall with a size 15 shoe.

When not competing or training for Special Olympics, Jenkins also enjoys playing basketball and learning about NASCAR.

The following is a poem that Ron wrote while at a district Bocce meet.

Special Olympics Wisconsin West Madison
By Ron Gausmann

It’s a name of our group
They’re good friends
Coaches are nice
Events are fun
Athletes are people to remember
Volunteers are helpful
Friends of families are great

The life of Special Olympics
West Madison
Has friends from La Follette
People who enjoy each other

Relationship of people who
brought each
other together

Maren Meister - Maren Meister, 23, will represent Wisconsin by competing in Bowling at the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China. Meister is from St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin and has competed with the Polk County Special Olympics program for ten years. When asked what attending the Special Olympics World Games means to her, Meister said she is honored and that, “I will do my very best.”
           
In addition to training and competing in Bowling, Meister enjoys singing, dancing, playing the piano, hanging out with friends and watching television.            

Meister is known for her positive attitude and said, “Special Olympics has taught me that no matter how well you do, if you have any special dreams, you can achieve them.”

Timothy Maloney - Timothy Maloney is 36-years old and from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. He will compete in track and field at the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China.

Maloney has received many honors from Special Olympics Wisconsin including various bowling medals and the Wauwatosa Agency Athlete of the Year Award. His family also received the Family of the Year Award from the Organization. Maloney believes Special Olympics has changed his life and says that over the years he has enjoyed making lifelong friends, traveling independently, and competing on various teams.

Maloney stays active in his free time by walking, lifting weights and playing golf.  His participation in Special Olympics includes competing in golf, bowling, basketball and track and field. When he is not playing sports he works for McDonald’s where he has been employed for 15 years.

Ike Walters - Ike Walters from Milwaukee has been an athlete in Special Olympics since elementary school. Walters participates in basketball, volleyball and track and field and has become a Global Messenger for SOWI, which empowers athletes to take a leadership role by speaking throughout their community about Special Olympics. His involvement in speaking about Special Olympics led Ike to the opportunity to work for SOWI through the AmeriCorps program.

“I got involved in the AmeriCorps program because I want more experience helping Special Olympics athletes in the state of Wisconsin," said Walters. His goals while serving through AmeriCorps are to recruit more athletes for his agency, Team Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Public School agency, as well as getting existing athletes involved in leadership roles. Additionally, he wants to make sure that when athletes graduate from high school, they continue to participate in Special Olympics.

Walters has also qualified to participate in the first-ever Special Olympics National Games, where he will be competing in the Pentathlon. In this event, athletes complete the 100-meter dash, long jump, shot put, high jump and the 400-meter dash.

"When I found out I was going to National Games, I was really excited," he said."This is a great opportunity...I'll be competing against athletes from all over the United States!" The National Games will be held in Ames, Iowa in July 2006 featuring 12 different sports for more than 3,500 nationwide athletes. Wisconsin is sending 64 athletes and 17 coaches.

Merle Cooney - Merle Cooney, Special Olympics Athlete from Stevens Point, Wisconsin has been involved with Special Olympics for twenty years and completes in bowling, track and field, soccer, basketball, bocce, softball and powerlifting.  Merle has a fulltime job at Worzalla Publishing in Stevens Point and works 40-50 hours a week.  You may remember Merle from the 2005 State Summer Games where he lit the cauldron with retired Sheriff Chuck Amundson, Monroe County Sheriffs Department, signifying the start of the Games. 

Merle has been selected to represent the athletes of Special Olympics Wisconsin on the state Law Enforcement Torch Run Committee for the next three years.

Tyler Kuhn - Tyler Kuhn is a 14-year-old Special Olympics athlete from Agency 3-36 Polk County. He participates in a lot of sports including track, basketball, bocce and bowling. He may even take up snowshoe racing this year.

“He is the love my life and he keeps me pretty with all the stuff his is in,” said his mother, Kimberly Kuhn.

Kimberly describes her son as active, outgoing and a bright and caring young man.

Debbie Gildemeister - Debbie Gildemeister has been with Wil-O-Way Grant for about 10 years. She is currently in the following Special Olympics Sports: Bowling, Team Basketball, Track & Field.

Debbie works at McDonald's taking care of the cleaning up and keeping the sitting area stocked with supplies. She also volunteers for Milwaukee Public TV Channel 10/36 Friends by helping with the Channel 10 Auction and mailings.

Debbie also helped last year with her team fund raiser by being one of the top sellers of candles.

Jodi Zimmerman - Jodi Zimmerman has been involved with Special Olympics since 1995. She is an integral part of local agency 8-10 YMCA of Pabst Farms in Milwaukee as she represents her fellow athletes on the Area 8 athlete leadership council.

Jodi’s favorite sports are swimming and bowling. She said that once you get her into a swimming pool it’s hard to get her back out. Her aunt taught her to bowl when she was 6 or seven years old.

“I like bowling because my whole family used to bowl. My uncles and some of my friends go to national bowling competitions so I like to keep their legacy,” Jodi said.

She also competes in basketball and bocce. Jodi says she likes being in Special Olympics because it keeps her busy and active and it keeps her out of trouble.

A few years ago, Jodi’s friend Mike Schulte encouraged her to join the Athlete Leadership Program (ALPs). Through ALPs, Jodi has become a leader in Special Olympics and has learned how to give speeches and take on a leadership role in the program.

“Mike taught me not to be afraid of things and just go for it,” she said. “He made me feel comfortable in the program since I was a fairly new person.”

Mike recently passed away from a sudden illness. However, Jodi is determined to continue his legacy. In her position on the Area 8 leadership council, Jodi talks to the other athletes in her local agency and brings their concerns back to the council where she helps shape decisions about competition and fundraising.

When she’s not participating in Special Olympics activities, Jodi enjoys spending time with her family, writing e-mail messages and playing with her three outside cats. She also has a job with the YMCA.

“Jodi is a very hard worker her at the YMCA and I think she really enjoys being here and being involved on staff at the courtesy counter with laundry and with the kids care drop-off child care,” said Kay Nord, Program Operations Director YMCA of Pabst Farms.
“She has a lot of enthusiasm.”

Michael Wiggins - Michael Wiggins is hearing-impaired and just started at Wisconsin School for the Deaf (WSD) where he got involved with Special Olympics. He has participated in bowling, where he advanced to state, and basketball, where he also advanced to state. He also does volunteer work with the Wisconsin Donor Network, American Cancer Society and American Heart Association.

He is currently in track and field and enjoying it very much. Michael began at WSD this year and had a very hard time being away from home; what saved him was having Special Olympics so he realized that you can have fun at school while you are learning.

In Memory Of Mike Schulte Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) would like to pay final tribute to Mike Schulte; SOWI athlete, volunteer, leader and friend who passed away on January 14. Mike Schulte was an athlete that touched many of our lives not only on the playing field with the Waukesha A’s, but also as an exemplary role model in the Athlete Leadership Programs (ALPs) movement, and as a member of the statewide SOWI Conference Committee.

Mike was a gifted speaker who was dedicated to spreading the word of Special Olympics to everyone that he met. He honed his speaking skills at the 2001 SOWI Global Messenger workshop and when attending a national ALPs conference in Atlanta in 2002. Among his statewide presentations he spoke before the SOWI board of directors on two separate occasions and presented several awards at the SOWI Annual Conference. He also spoke on the Area and local levels on dozens of occasions and served as the founding Chairman for the ALPs in Action athlete council in Waukesha.

Mike was laid to rest on January 18 in Pewaukee. In attendance at the funeral were friends from the SOWI board of directors, Program staff, Area staff, and local Agencies. Upon seeing the outpouring of support, his father said it best when he commented that “he knew what a positive affect SOWI had had on Mike, but he had no idea what a positive affect Mike had had on SOWI.”

Thank you Mike for all you have given to SOWI. Although your voice is now quiet, your spirit remains.

Peter Mathews - Peter Mathews has been involved with Special Olympics for three years. At the 2004 State Fall Sports Tournament, Peter’s team, The Falcons, won gold in division 3 volleyball.

Through Special Olympics he has met a lot of friends and learned that in order to be successful in life, you need to try new things.

When he’s not training for sports, he works at the Racine County Opportunity Center where they help get Peter jobs around the community. He also enjoys reading Harry Potter books and going to the movies.

Juile Fuhrman - Julie lives in Ashland and likes playing Basketball and Volleyball. She would like to go to and get a job working with computers or as a police officer. Julie likes spending time with her family and with her three dogs, Penny, Molly and Buba.

Her favorite thing about Special Olympics is making new friends. Julie likes volunteering in her community and is a bell ringer for the Salvation Army.

Karin Rorek - Karin’s first involvement with SOW began about 25 yrs ago in Track and Field. She was the smallest and possibly youngest athlete competing that day, but she was all heart.

She competes in Track and Field, Bowling, Basketball Skills, and T-ball/Softball. She works at Careers Industries in Racine and she can typically be found volunteering for the various fund raisers in the area such as: the Roof Top Sit, Bake Sales, Wreath Sales, Hardee’s Night Out, etc. Karin even attends the fall conference.

Karin’s sportsmanship is also one to be recognized. She realizes that the people that get the medals are typically the ones to get more recognition, and even though she gets disappointed when she is not one of them, she cheers and congratulates them by giving them the thumbs up. She has even been known to go up and shake their hands and say good job.

Karin truly reflects the SO motto of: Let me win, but if I cannot win, Let me brave in the attempt.

Carolyn Voelker - Carolyn is currently participating in Bocce this summer, but her sports for Special Olympics include: bowling, basketball and track and field. She is trained to be a Global Messenger and her heart and soul is all about Special Olympics. She has made it into a family affair by having her mother take on the Agency Manager job and many of her family members are either coaches or volunteers. Carolyn is truly grateful for all Special Olympics has done for her.

Brittnay Miller - Brittany loves bowling, bocce and track and field. She also loves ice skating and watching her brother, sister, and mom BMX race. She really loves to help others out.

She was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was 6 months old. Doctors said she would never walk, talk, or eat regularly but she was a fighter and proved them wrong. She is an inspiration to all around her. She helps out other athletes by getting their spirits up, helping them get around and by just being an awesome friend.

This year she could not be involved with Track and Field but she decided their was another way so she sold 20 torch run shirts and jumped on her bike in Rhinelander and carried the Torch into Merrill She always finds a way to help.

Sarah Horlacher - Sara has been involved with Eau Claire Adult Special Olympics for about 5 years. At the 2004 State Summer Games, she earned a Gold medal in the softball throw and a 5th place ribbon in the 25M Walk. Sara always has a smile on her face during training and competition and her teammates think that she has the heart of a true champion.

Robert Lambert - Robert Lambert has been a Special Olympics Athlete for five Years The sports he has done over the years are: Basketball, Bowling, Track, and Swimming. Lambert has participated in the ALPs Program which led him to Join Toastmasters in his hometown, Viroqua. Lambert is VP-Education of the Viroqua Toastmasters and on July 1, 2004 Lambert Will Become the Club President!

Pam Gilbert - Pam enjoys bowling, track and field and T-ball. Before one season is over, she's already excited for the next season to start. Over her 20 years of involvement with Special Olympics Wisconsin, Pam has learned valuable lessons in sportsmanship and is helpful with the other athletes in her agency. In addition to participating in Special Olympics, Pam works at a hotel and enjoys babysitting her nieces.

Brooke Thomson - Hi my name is Brooke Lynn Thomson. I live in DePere,WI. The sports that i really like to do is bowling,basketball, track and field and soccer. I work at St. Norberts and I volunteer at the Pay It Forward Club and I really like it. I have one more year until I graduate from High School.

Brenda Richardson - Brenda has a great desire to do her best in whatever sport she is doing.She helps out when ever needed and always asks if she can help in anyway. Brenda enjoys both individual and team sports. she is a team player who wants the best for her team.

Most of all, she enjoys the camaraderie and having a good time. She has many friends on the internet and communicates with them daily. Brenda is a very caring person, she is always there for a athlete,coach or friend that is in need of comfort or help. She will even help to show the correct way of doing sports if she can.

Jill Mitchell - Jill has been involved with Special Olympics for 17 years, and takes part in bowling, volleyball, swimming, speed skating, gymnastics, basketball, track and field, and softball. She has received medals at state tournaments in six different sports. In March of 2000, Jill traveled to Alaska to compete in the pre-World Games where she earned two gold medals and a fourth-place ribbon in speed skating.

She also began her ALPs training in 2001 and continues to do occasional appearances for her role as an athlete leader. Despite her busy schedule, Jill volunteers weekly at the Special Olympics Wisconsin state office where she helps prepare for state games and other tasks.

Adam Towns - Adam has a sweet active personality and is always loving and caring to his fellow athletes. He loves to help at practices. Adam has great courage and strength. He fought for his life in March of 2003 when he had brain surgery. Although he still is recovering and has some mild permanent damage from this surgery, Adam has rose above all the negative and fought his way back to health. Adam's favorite sports are basketball, track and field This year he will start bowling. Even though he is unable to participate in many of the sports since his surgery, he loves to watch.

His enjoys his dog, participating in Special Olympics, Respite House, and his many friends at Special Olympics. He has a talkative, active personality and is a testament to Special Olympics Athletes' can do, not what they can't do. The word "can't" isn't in his vocabulary.

Pat Ashbrook - Pat participates in swimming, basketball, volleyball, and does soccer and bowling for "fun only." He is one of agency 6-12, West Madison's biggest boosters and is always there to cheer on other athletes. He works on the Athlete Resource Committee, helps with the Law Enforcement Torch Run®, Polar Plunge and anything else the State or South Central office might need assistance with. Pat is a true "go-to" guy who can always be counted on to lend a hand with a huge grin and tons of spirit.

Crystal Flick - Hi, my name is Crystal Flick. I'm a freshman at Colby High School in Colby Wisconsin. I'm a member of the Special Olympics organization through our school

I'm on a bowling team and also participate in track and field. In the past I was on a basketball team. I enjoy bowling and track and field the most. Special Olympics gives us a chance to participate in sports as a team that we may not have a chance to do otherwise.

A special Thank You to our coaches who give their time so we can have this Chance.

Martha Hill - Martha is an athlete with the Sheboygan Adult Program Special Olympics Agency 5-07. Her favorite sport is swimming. For the first time at the 2003 State Summer Games she competed in the 100 meter butterfly and finished 3rd and the 100 meter individual medley and finished 2nd. Martha starts to take swim lessons about 2 or 3 months before practice starts to to help her get ready.

She enjoys basketball and bocce. Martha is involved with ALPs and was the first athlete in Sheboygan to become a Global Messenger and to complete the first Global Messenger Training. She enjoys listening to music and enjoys singing in her church choir.

Special Olympics is truly a family affair for Martha with her dad, Jim, coach for a Bocce team and her mom, Janice, coach for the swimming team her sister, Becky, is the lifeguard for the swim team.

Evan Voldahl - Evan's home town is Brookfield, WI. He competes in bowling, athletics and basketball.

Katie Baesemann - Katie has been involved with Special Olympics Wisconsin for 15 years and competes in Bowling, Basketball and Track and Field. Katie is involved with the Athlete Leadership Programs, is a Global Messenger and once sang the National Anthem during a Bucks Game at the Bradley Center.