"#$%& Jason Akbar

'() *#$%+ (,-./& Volleyball

)0%& 32
1-$%/-23& Joliet
4-5% #/ '() *#$%+& Athlete
6-7#5 )0%378& Special Pecreation of Joliet & Channahon (SPJC)
6-7#5 9-#7:& Katie Dillon
;%#.+ <3=-5=%> ?3 (,%7?#5 @58$,?7+& 17
@/:%. (,-./+ <3=-5=%> <3& Basketball, softball, volleyball and bowling.
A#7B0.-C3>& Jason is employed on the cleaning crew at 1rinity Services. When he's
not working or training, Jason en|oys playing cards, bowling and needlepoint.
)77-$,5?+:$%3/+& Jason is proud of all the Special Olympics medals he has won over
the years. He also received the Outstanding Cood Behavior Award at 1rinity Services.
(C$$#.8 -D <$,#7/ (,%7?#5 @58$,?7+ :#+ :#> -3 #/:5%/%& Jason says Special
Olympics has "allowed me to have many opportunities to experience new
environments and meet new people." Plus, it has taught him great leadership skills.

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"#$%& Allison Leehaug
'() *#$%+ (,-./& Athletics -
Pentathlon (100M Pun,
400M Pun, High Jump,
Shot Put, Long Jump),
4x100M Pelay
)0%& 2S
1-$%/-23& Frankfort
4-5% #/ '() *#$%+& Athlete
6-7#5 )0%378& Lincolnway Special Pecreation Association
6-7#5 9-#7:& 1amara Pareti
;%#.+ <3=-5=%> ?3 (,%7?#5 @58$,?7+& 14
@/:%. (,-./+ <3=-5=%> <3& Basketball, bowling, soccer and softball
A#7B0.-C3>& Allison graduated from Lincolnway East High School. She works as a
bagger at Jewel in New Lenox, having previously worked at Starbucks and Wendy's.
Allison en|oys arts and crafts, video games and basketball in her spare time.
)77-$,5?+:$%3/+& Allison was named Lincolnway Special Pecreation Association's
"Athlete of the Year" in 2010. She won the Pon Knisley Spirit of the Cames Award
three times at Special Olympics lllinois State Basketball tournaments. She has nearly
100 Special Olympics medals.
(C$$#.8 -D <$,#7/ (,%7?#5 @58$,?7+ :#+ :#> -3 #/:5%/%& Allison says that Special
Olympics has made her a better person - "it really keeps me active and moving around
a lot. l love doing sports for Special Olympics!" Coing to the USA Cames means
everything to Allison and she is very excited to do something new and meet everyone
at the games.
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"#$%& Pikki Kirsch
'() *#$%+ (,-./& Aquatics -
2S Backstroke, 2S Butterfly,
S0 Freestyle,
4x2S Medley Pelay
)0%& 20
1-$%/-23& Shorewood
4-5% #/ '() *#$%+& Athlete
6-7#5 )0%378& Special Connections of Crundy County
6-7#5 9-#7:& Lynda Kirkman
;%#.+ <3=-5=%> ?3 (,%7?#5 @58$,?7+& S
@/:%. (,-./+ <3=-5=%> <3& Athletics, bowling and equestrian
A#7B0.-C3>& Pikki attends the 1ransitions program at Crundy County Special Education,
where she helps with PEACH Creetings, the greeting card business. She also attends
cooking classes at Joliet Junior College and works at Coldstone Creamery. Pikki
volunteers at Joliet 1ownship Animal Control and helps out with Special Connections as
well as Special Olympics lllinois Starved Pock/Area 16 fundraisers.
)77-$,5?+:$%3/+& ln 2013, Pikki participated in four Special Olympics sports and
qualified for state in all four. Pikki is excited to travel to the USA Cames and meet new
people from different parts of the country. She will be featured in a documentary filming
this spring highlighting human/animal bonding between individuals with special needs
and seniors with non-service animals.
(C$$#.8 -D <$,#7/ (,%7?#5 @58$,?7+ :#+ :#> -3 #/:5%/% #3> D#$?58& Special Olympics
is a family affair in the Kirsch household. Steve (dad) participates in the Law Enforcement
1orch Pun. Her twin sister Holli participates in the Polar Plunge and volunteers at various
events. Chris (mom) provides transportation and cheerleading at many events. Her
mother says "Special Olympics has given Pikki much more confidence which has allowed
her to step out of her comfort zone and try new things including SCUBA diving. She en|oys
competing and is proud of her efforts no matter the results." Pikki en|oys spending time
with her teammates and loves having her family cheer her on.
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"#$%& Christopher Baumann
'() *#$%+ (,-./& Powerlifting -
Benchpress, Deadlift,
Combination
)0%& 37
1-$%/-23& Orland Park
4-5% #/ '() *#$%+& Athlete
6-7#5 )0%378& Orland Park SPA
6-7#5 9-#7:& Nick Harvey
;%#.+ <3=-5=%> ?3 (,%7?#5 @58$,?7+& 23
@/:%. (,-./+ <3=-5=%> <3& Basketball, aquatics, bocce, golf, softball and volleyball
A#7B0.-C3>& Christopher has worked for Jewel for 8 years and previously worked for
Big Lots for 12 years. He is also an avid fan of the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls
and Chicago Bears. He loves to watch or attend sporting events.
(C$$#.8 -D <$,#7/ (,%7?#5 @58$,?7+ :#+ :#> -3 #/:5%/%& Christopher is looking
forward to the USA Cames - "competing and meeting new people." Special Olympics
has helped him improve his confidence and the coached have him improve his skills.

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"#$%& Ceoffrey Klimek
'() *#$%+ (,-./& Colf -
9-Hole Stroke Play
)0%& 18
1-$%/-23& Orland Park
4-5% #/ '() *#$%+& Athlete
6-7#5 )0%378& Orland Park Pecreation Dept.
6-7#5 9-#7:& Nick Harvey
;%#.+ <3=-5=%> ?3 (,%7?#5 @58$,?7+& 4
@/:%. (,-./+ <3=-5=%> <3& Basketball, softball and floor hockey
A#7B0.-C3>& Ceoffrey is currently a high school senior. When he isn't competing, he
likes to swim and |uggle.
)77-$,5?+:$%3/+& Ceoffrey is proud of winning a gold medal in Unified golf in 2013.
(C$$#.8 -D <$,#7/ (,%7?#5 @58$,?7+ :#+ :#> -3 #/:5%/%& Being part of Special
Olympics has helped Ceoffrey socially. "He has made a wonderful connection with
other team members and coaches," said his mother, Michele. "He loves sports! He is
always smiling while competing."
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"#$%& Johnny Piley
'() *#$%+ (,-./& Volleyball
)0%& 38
1-$%/-23& Joliet
4-5% #/ '() *#$%+& Athlete
6-7#5 )0%378& Special Pecreation of Joliet-Channahon (SPJC)
6-7#5 9-#7:& Katie Dillon
;%#.+ <3=-5=%> ?3 (,%7?#5 @58$,?7+& 10
@/:%. (,-./+ <3=-5=%> <3& Basketball, bowling and softball
A#7B0.-C3>& Johnny participates in 1rinity Services Day Program and works on
landscaping in the community. He previously worked as a packer at the Barkery. He
en|oys art and reading.
)77-$,5?+:$%3/+& Johnny has made it to state Special Olympics competition many
times, placing first several times. He received an award from 1rinity Services for self-
improvement.
(C$$#.8 -D <$,#7/ (,%7?#5 @58$,?7+ :#+ :#> -3 #/:5%/%& Johnny says "Special
Olympics makes me feel part of a team. lt makes me happy." His coach, Katie Dillon,
says Special Olympics has helped Johnny set life goals and gives him the opportunity
to travel and see many places.

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