Since 2006, Special Olympics has hosted its own USA Games. From Iowa to Minnesota, this longstanding tradition has evolved into a torch-bearing tribute to what the movement is all about.
Shannon Neff, a Team Tennessee additional staff member and Maury County Area Director, is a USA Games veteran. Having attended every event since the beginning, she has experienced a wide range of roles. She spent one year as a Unified partner in softball, two years as a coach in soccer and football, two years as assistant head of delegation for Team Tennessee and, most recently, served as an additional staff member.
She said, "Each USA Games had different things stand out because of the role that I played in each of them. All have been fabulous in their own way!"
Neff first got involved with Special Olympics while she was in college, volunteering at a local track event. She later began working for The King's Daughters' School, where she became active with Special Olympics and stepped into the role with grace and a desire to serve.
Reflecting on this year's journey to Minnesota, Neff said what stood out most was being "able to go to multiple venues and events with the athletes, unified partners and coaches and experience the bond that they all had with one another. Many were from different areas of Tennessee and had only met on a couple of occasions, but the bond seemed to have been there for a lifetime. The love, patience and compassion that everyone had for one another was priceless! It was like Team Tennessee was just one big family, and I know that there will always be a bond and memories that all will take with them throughout their lives!"
As an active member of the Special Olympics community, Neff expressed gratitude for what the movement has given her.
If it weren't for these individuals, I would not be where I am or who I am. They, through all of this, have taught me to be patient, kind to all, compassionate, forgiving, empathetic and merciful in everyday life and to everyone.
Special Olympics truly teaches invaluable lessons that cannot be learned just anywhere.
Special Olympics hosts the USA Games every four years, but that is only part of the organization's mission to serve athletes, Unified partners, families and communities. As Neff put it, "Special Olympics is more than just a series of sporting events. It empowers individuals, helps to build confidence, structure. It helps individuals to strive to do and be the best that they can be. It offers great socialization, introductions to new and different things other than just sports. It brings communities and families together and unites us ALL!"
From coast to coast and countless ceremonies later, Shannon Neff continues to stand strong in her "why" and the mission behind Special Olympics. We are thankful for her unwavering commitment to Team Tennessee and for the history she has witnessed over the past two decades.