Athlete and Volunteer Profiles

Deon Butler
Athlete
At age 11, Deon Butler had never taken a step. When he was 1 years old, his legs were severely burned. In the healing process his knees and ankles fused together at 90-degree angles.
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Sarah Itoh
Athlete
Sue Itoh has seen her daughter take what she has learned from Special Olympics and apply it to other activities in life.
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Joe Kaczynski
Athlete
Joe Kaczynski is known for his ability to run far and fast.
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Brenden Eddie
Athlete
If it wasn't for Special Olympics, Brenden Eddie may not be here today.
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Michelle Trombley
Athlete
"With the right mindset, you can overcome anything," said Michelle Trombley, a Special Olympics athlete.
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Ted Ketola
Athlete
He walks one to three miles everyday, and he has no problem getting up at 3 a.m. to help shovel snow. He is a true team player.
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Bill Goodwill
Athlete
"Goodwill" is not just a clever last name for Bill Goodwill of Escanaba. Truly a man of "goodwill", Bill exemplifies the Special Olympics oath "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt." Along with "goodwill", other words that may come to mind when thinking of Bill include brave, spirited and inspiring.
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Dean Wallin
Volunteer
Dean will celebrate his 30-year anniversary as the co-chair of the track events this year. Throughout the years, he has also been an independent chair for the track events, the chair for the Frisbee competition, and has also been extremely involved in the State Winter Games.
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Barb McCollom
Volunteer
Every year, Barb McCollom rounds up the dunk tanks, canoes, petting zoo animals and art supplies and heads out to lead the Special Events venue at the Special Olympics Michigan State Summer Games. This year, Barb will celebrate her 20th year on the Games Committee for the State Summer Games.
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Molly Hincka
Athlete
Molly Hincka is 14 years old and is in 8th grade at Maltby Middle School in Brighton. She has been involved with Special Olympics Michigan in Livingston County for six years. She participates in rhythmic gymnastics, track and field, soccer, basketball, and snowshoe and is a cheerleader for our adult teams.
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Kellie Cronin
Athlete
Kellie puts forth her very best and her intensity embodies team spirit, which she encourages in others as well.
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Christina Paquin
Athlete
Over 20 years ago, the Paquin family had no idea what they were getting into when they agreed to let eight-year-old Christina sign up for Special Olympics.
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Jenna Cole
Athlete
"Jenna was given a poor prognosis," says Laura Cole, her mom. But now an impish 13-year-old, Jenna has proven that she can rise above the expectations of others.
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Ron Walzak
Athlete
Ron Walzak's nickname, "Manabull," offers some insight into the strength and power he brings to powerlifting competition.
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Dan Sell
Athlete
Special Olympics offered Dan the chance to be what he wanted - an athlete -- and he ran with it.
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Harold McGuire
Athlete
Harold McGuire likes to play hard and prefers those sports with a rougher edge. He slices through the gates in downhill skiing, rides a mean snowboard, and handles his hockey stick with intensity.
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Melissa Tufford
Athlete
Melissa Tufford of Clio is a petite young woman whose sparkling personality truly shines when she performs on the ice. Figure skating has been Melissa's sports focus in Special Olympics for over ten years.
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