Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) is proud to announce that fourteen athletes recently completed training to become Global Messengers. In this role, they will help spread the mission and vision of Special Olympics and speak to others about their participation in the organization.

The Global Messenger training program allows athletes to learn public speaking and presentation skills that they can use to effectively communicate the power of the Special Olympics movement to others. As Global Messengers, athletes speak to a variety of audiences about the benefits of Special Olympics and the impact it has had on their lives. The program gives them the opportunity to tell their stories in their own words and to educate the community about becoming involved.

There are six new Global Messengers in the Central region of the state and eight new Global Messengers in the Eastern region. These athletes will now serve as ambassadors for Special Olympics.

Congratulations to the following athletes!

Central Global Messengers:

Elizabeth Smith Porter – Bradford County

Johanna Schoeneck – Lycoming County

Justin McWilliams – York County

Amanda Smith – Adams County

Mike Stephens – Blair County

Meghan Jane – Tioga County

Central Global Messengers – Back row, from left: Justin McWilliams, Mike Stephens.

Front row, from left: Amanda Smith, Meghan Jane, Johanna Schoeneck, Elizabeth Smith Porter.

Eastern Global Messengers:

Tyler James Youngkin – Northampton County

Lisa Barbour – Philadelphia County

Steve Frank Kucey – Bethlehem City

George Bird – Carbon County

Melissa Woerner – Bucks County

Caitlin Stafford – Lancaster County

Jessica Halbur – Area M

Stephen Dower – Area M

Eastern Global Messengers – Back row, from left: Melissa Woerner, Lisa Barbour, Caitlin Stafford, Jessica Halbur. Front row, from left: Steve Kucey, George Bird, Tyler Youngkin, Stephen Dower.