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Shared Stories

Tate McGraw and Jessica Nordhus smiling for camera.

Defining Friendship

By Chad VanderPoel The roles we all play in each other’s lives is different. Often those roles are defined. It may be mother and daughter, teacher and student, boyfriend and

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A group of basketball players smiling together.

Being Part of a Unified Team

A USA Games Experience as Told by Xander Sheehan, Kyler Tvedt, and Kellan Benck Xander Sheehan (14): It’s hard to find words to describe what it was like to experience

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Gunner Sanderson smiling and holding a bowling ball in front of a bowling lane.

A Letter From Gunner

By Gunner Sanderson Dear Chad, Hi, my name is Gunner Sanderson.  I am 15 years old and am a sophomore in Clark High School. I have Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome. I have

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The signed Manning jersey.

From One Manning to Another

By Jon Cole In July, 2016 I was helping at the South Dakota High School All-Star Football game in Vermillion. Local Special Olympic Athletes were selected as honorary team captains

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Coach Kaylee Schirado smiling and hugging two Special Olympics athletes.

Tying Shoes, Tying Friendships

By Kaylee Schirado My name is Kaylee Schirado, and I have been a coach for the Special Olympics Brookings delegation for the past 3 years. My experience with Special Olympics

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Have a story to share?

Please submit it to Chad VanderPoel at cvanderpoel@sosd.org