Hall of Fame  

2004 Inductees

George Burton

George Burton is a 34 year-old Special Olympics athlete who trains and competes in athletics, bowling, long distance running and alpine and cross-country skiing. And although he enjoys all of the sports in which he participates, running is where you'll find Burton's passion.

Burton lives in Cyclone, a rural hamlet in McKean County. He became interested in sports at a young age, and he began to run with his sister and brother who competed in high school track. He would watch their track meets, but he was never one to sit on the sidelines. As he continued to train, he was able to outrun his sister, brother, and his father, too.

When Burton discovered Special Olympics, his world changed forever. He seized the opportunities that Special Olympics gave him and methodically achieved one goal after another on his way to becoming an accomplished international runner.

When Burton qualified to have his name put into the hat for selection for the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Minneapolis in 1991, he was ecstatic. When his name failed to be drawn, he was not nearly as disappointed as his coaches and family were. He simply said, "When are the next World Games?" He continued his quest to compete internationally and after learning that the 1995 World Games would include a marathon, George began to train for that grueling race.

He qualified by completing the Marine Corps Marathon and went on to win a gold medal at the 1995 World Games at New Haven in the first-ever marathon. He added another gold medal at the 1999 World Games in Raleigh-Durham in the half marathon.

Burton's athletic accomplishments speak for themselves. To those who know him, his athletic achievements are all overshadowed by his charming personality. Always smiling and polite to a fault, he is a quiet leader among his fellow athletes.

Andrew "Tom" Kinsey

Andrew Thomas "Tom" Kinsey has been active in Special Olympics Area M for more than 30 years. Originally, doctors prescribed track and field events as part of his therapy when he was told that he may never "walk or talk."

Thanks to the motivation of a great doctor and Kinsey's resilient spirit, he became a great competitor in track and field, and later in swimming. During his years with Area M, Kinsey has participated in seven different sports, including team and individual sports. All of his coaches have always complimented him on his sincerity and good sportsmanship.

Kinsey is never discouraged if he cannot win a sport. He always recites the Special Olympics oath, and says "maybe next time." His generous spirit and kindness are two of his strongest assets.

To Kinsey, sportsmanship is the key to personal success. He lives the Special Olympics oath, "Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt." Kinsey once gave up his chance to be a part of a World Games soccer team in an effort to comfort one of his friends. He said that his friend was more important than winning a medal.

Kinsey displays all of his medals and ribbons in a large cabinet built by his father. It hangs on his bedroom wall and it is the first thing he shows a newcomer visiting his home. He always comments on how hard it has been to earn those medals, and that if he keeps trying, maybe his father will build him a bigger cabinet.

Kinsey exemplifies the spirit of Special Olympics in his community as well. He is well known and well liked, both on and off the playing field. He is an athlete and a leader among his fellow athletes.

Elizabeth Smith

Elizabeth Smith trains and competes in Special Olympics year-round in a variety of sports. She demonstrates remarkable leadership and courage whenever a challenge is presented.

Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at the age of three, her prognosis was sometimes gloomy. As an infant, Smith could not crawl, nor walk at the age of two. However, through Special Olympics, she beat all of the odds and met every challenge head on, eventually running marathons and participating in the Penn Relays.

Smith's words are "I can do this thing." And, she has accomplished wonderful things with that attitude. She constantly encourages others to do their best.

Within a year of starting Special Olympics, she was running in Washington, D.C. as part of the Marine Corps Marathon. She was the female gold medalist in the 5K mini-marathon for Special Olympics. From the very start, Special Olympics offered her new and challenging opportunities and Smith brought the spirit and strength needed to accomplish these goals. She has won more than 89 medals in seven different sports over the years.

Special Olympics has enabled Smith to grow not only as an athlete, but also as a leader. She became a Global Messenger and has grown significantly in this endeavor, starting out shy, and moving on to be Master of Ceremonies for the Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Annual Leadership Awards Banquet, in front of hundreds of people.

Smith is also a great champion for Special Olympics off the playing field. After each competition, she wears her latest medal to work at Swarthmore College and to walk the dog around the neighborhood. She loves to share the excitement of Special Olympics with others and has encouraged many people to become involved as athletes, volunteers, supporters and coaches.

Danny Zirkle

If you tell Danny Zirkle that he cannot do something, he will prove you wrong. He has been competing in Special Olympics for 30 years. In that time, he has developed his own unique form in wheelchair racing, pushing himself backward with his feet. This style has helped him to win 50 gold, silver and bronze medals in his sport, as well as 150 participation ribbons.

Zirkle has trained in several sports including bowling, athletics, volleyball, softball, swimming and bocce. He attended Special Olympics Pennsylvania's Sports Training Camp in 1986, where he was named "Most Enthusiastic" for his efforts there.

Outside of Special Olympics, Zirkle is a member of the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC), and the ARC Oasis Club 21, which goes camping, bowling, dancing and also attends Erie Seawolves baseball games. In 2000, the ARC recognized Zirkle for his salesmanship skills by presenting him with a plaque for "Top Seller" during their annual Bike Hike fundraising event.

He has worked at Vallonia Industries for more than 20 years, where he does any job that he is asked to do, with a smile and loads of enthusiasm.

Zirkle is a one-of-a-kind friend, co-worker and neighbor. His many friends from Special Olympics and Vallonia call on him for good common sense and advice about legal problems, medical problems and life issues.

Zirkle is well known around his neighborhood. He is the first to help out at home and around his community. He not only takes care of his family's yard, but mows the neighbor's lawn as well. In addition, he is also known for his knack at diagnosing and fixing car problems.

Zirkle is known for being persistent, determined and enthusiastic in all he does, but never forgets to encourage others to do their best as well.

Jill Schoeniger

Jill Schoeniger has been a volunteer for Special Olympics for nearly 14 years. She began as a one-day volunteer at an event, and was "hooked". Ever since that fateful day, she has been involved with the organization as a coach, volunteer, and even as a paid employee.

A dedicated coach, she is certified in basketball, soccer, floor hockey and softball. She also began a Unified Softball team in Montgomery County which pairs athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to form a team.

In addition to her volunteer work, Schoeniger landed her dream job in 1995 when she began working at Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) as the director of communications and public relations for the state program.

During her tenure at SOPA, she increased the community presence of Special Olympics, while pioneering significant events like the Breakfast of Champions, as a way to raise funds and awareness of the organization's mission.

In 1996, she was instrumental in creating the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Hall of Fame as a way to celebrate the achievements of SOPA's athletes and volunteers, and to share their success stories with a larger audience. That same year, Schoeniger developed the first Web site for SOPA.

Recognition for her work came directly from Special Olympics, Inc. (SOI), as she was asked to consult on large projects, such as the 2001 Disney television movie, "The Loretta Claiborne Story." Her consulting work for SOI continues today.

Schoeniger never misses a chance to give her athletes an opportunity to play and take pride in their accomplishments. She even took her floor hockey team to an invitational event in San Diego, CA in 1995 and 1996 where they earned gold medals both times.

For Schoeniger, Special Olympics isn't just about the competition, it's also about the total experience of laughter, sharing, community, acceptance, teamwork and the joy that goes along with every event for athletes, coaches and volunteers, alike.
 

Deborah Kohl

Special Olympics lost one of its most dedicated volunteers this past year when Deborah Kohl passed away suddenly in May. Kohl had been a volunteer since 1989 when she began the roller skating program for Special Olympics Bethlehem City.

More than anything else, Kohl loved to skate. A roller skating head coach for more than 15 years, she donated more than just time to the program. As the manager of "Skate-Away" in Bethlehem, she obtained the donation of the use of the facilities. Bethlehem City is now known for having a first-rate roller skating program because of Kohl's contributions.

Going above the call of duty, when Kohl recognized that it was difficult for athletes to train and learn routines in only eight weeks, she initiated a year-round training program for athletes in roller skating, which allowed them to advance to higher levels of competition.

Kohl was also able to recruit top-notch assistant coaches and volunteers for the program through her connections with the skating community. Over the years, she expanded her roles in Special Olympics to include becoming a trainer and mentor for other roller skating coaches, in addition to serving on the SOPA Sports Advisory Committee and the Sports Management Team.

Beyond roller skating, Kohl helped to bring new sports to her local program including ice skating and floor hockey. She also encouraged athletes to move into leadership roles. Two of the athletes in her program moved on to become officials in speed skating.

Kohl was able to give each athlete individual attention and always saw their full potential. She was a trusted friend to athletes and helped with matters outside of training and competition, including problem solving, behavioral issues and other life skills. Her influence helped athletes beyond the rink, into their workplaces, schools and homes, reinforcing a "can-do" attitude.

A recipient of many awards and honors, Kohl always believed that the greatest award was watching her skaters perform to the best of their ability. It didn't matter if they won or lost, but it did matter that they gave it their all.