Interview with Betsy Schaffer, Special Olympics Montana Athlete of the Year
Special Olympics Montana Athlete of the Year
As we have announced recently, we have partnered with Special Olympics Montana as our Charity Partner of the Year. Special Olympics is an organization that is important and impactful for so many people! Below is an interview with Betsy Schaffer, the 2020 Special Olympics Montana Athlete of the Year, where she explains why Special Olympics is important to her.
Why Special Olympics is Important to Me?
By Betsy Schaffer, Special Olympics Athlete
Info about Betsy:
— 2020 Athlete of the Year
— First Games 2009
— 30 Games in the books!
Q: Betsy- you’ve participated in Special Olympics for over 11 years now. Congratulations! That’s a lot of hard work, perseverance and commitment. Why is Special Olympics important to you?
A: I get to participate in my favorite events in the State Summer Games.
Q: What are your favorite events?
A: Athletics, Bocce, Bowling, Gymnastics, Basketball
Q: What are you most looking forward to at our upcoming Games?
A: I am really looking forward to the medals and awards that my friends and I get at the State and Regional Games. My Dad is a police officer in Great Falls and participates in Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. One of my favorite things is when my dad drapes a medal around my neck. At the 2012 State Summer Games in Billings, my Dad put a gold medal around my neck. This makes competition even more special.
Q: You’ve talked about the 2018 USA Games in Seattle as a favorite memory, tell us why those Games standout in your mind?
A: I represented Montana at the USA Games in Seattle in 2018. I was able to play Bocce ball with my friends and other athletes from around the United States.
Q: If I remember correctly, you brought home some medals for Montana from those Games? Tell us about that.
A: I earned two silver medals in bocce.
Q: Betsy, we know Special Olympics is important to athletes, do you think it is important to communities?
A: Special Olympics is all about inclusion and it makes me feel so good when everyone is together and competing.
Q: Betsy, as Athlete of the Year, you have an important job of leading other athletes. Please share some words of wisdom with Montana’s athletes.
A: Champions are made, not born.
