Visit the Homepage for Special Olympics Washington Website
Donate
  1. Athlete Hotline
  2. Shop
  1. Participate
  2. Events
  3. Sports
  4. LETR
  5. Volunteer
  6. About
  1. Athlete Hotline
  2. Shop
  1. I'd like to
  2. become an athlete
  3. become a Unified partner
  4. become a volunteer
  5. become a coach
  6. find a local community
  7. make a donation
  8. connect to initiatives
  9. learn about health initiatives
  1. Become an Athlete
  2. Unified Champion Schools
  3. SO College
  4. Sports Results
  5. East Region Sports
  6. Southwest Region Sports
  7. Northwest Region Sports
  1. Alpine
  2. Athletics
  3. Basketball
  4. Bocce
  5. Bowling
  6. Cheerleading
  7. Cross Country Skiing
  8. Cycling
  1. Figure Skating
  2. Flag Football
  3. Golf
  4. Men's Artistic Gymnastics
  5. Powerlifting
  6. Snowboarding
  7. Snowshoeing
  8. Soccer
  1. Softball
  2. Speedskating
  3. Stand Up Paddle Boarding
  4. Swimming
  5. Team Washington
  6. Tennis
  7. Volleyball
  8. Women's Artistic Gymnastics
  9. Unified Sports
  10. Young Athletes
  1. Law Enforcement Torch Run Campaign
  2. Signature Events
  3. Press Room
  4. Torch Run
  5. Contact
  6. LETR Resources
  1. Events Calendar
  2. Find a local community
  1. About
  2. Blog
  3. Contact
Back
I'd like to
  1. become an athlete
  2. become a Unified partner
  3. become a volunteer
  4. become a coach
  5. find a local community
  6. make a donation
  7. connect to initiatives
  8. learn about health initiatives
Volunteer with Us
Learn More
  1. Alpine
  2. Athletics
  3. Basketball
  4. Bocce
  5. Bowling
  6. Cheerleading
  7. Cross Country Skiing
  8. Cycling
  1. Figure Skating
  2. Flag Football
  3. Golf
  4. Men's Artistic Gymnastics
  5. Powerlifting
  6. Snowboarding
  7. Snowshoeing
  8. Soccer
  1. Softball
  2. Speedskating
  3. Stand Up Paddle Boarding
  4. Swimming
  5. Team Washington
  6. Tennis
  7. Volleyball
  8. Women's Artistic Gymnastics
  9. Unified Sports
  10. Young Athletes
  1. Become an Athlete
  2. Unified Champion Schools
  3. SO College
  4. Sports Results
  5. East Region Sports
  6. Southwest Region Sports
  7. Northwest Region Sports
  1. Law Enforcement Torch Run Campaign
  2. Signature Events
  3. Press Room
  4. Torch Run
  5. Contact
  6. LETR Resources
LETR Final Leg
Learn More
  1. Events Calendar
  2. Find a local community
Event
Calendar
View Calendar
  1. About
  2. Blog
  3. Contact
50 Years Strong: Let’s Celebrate Inclusion, Community, and the Power of Sport
View Latest Post
Updated Hotel List
By Rebecca Hummer - November 03, 2023
  • 131 views
  • Listen to this article Pause the Article Resume the Article

ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR

Rebecca Hummer

Rebecca Hummer is the Senior Marketing Manager at Special Olympics Washington.

Follow Us

specialolympicswashington

Special Olympics Washington BUILDS communities and LEADS in Wellness through Sports and Inclusion.
Celebration Week kicks off TOMORROW, June 15 — a Celebration Week kicks off TOMORROW, June 15 — and so does your chance to make a difference. 🛒 When you shop at @Safeway, you can donate at checkout to support Special Olympics Washington athletes across the state. Small change, big impact. Let’s do this together. #ShopForSOWA #CelebrationWeek #SpecalOlympicsWA #Safeway
Nothing beats the thrill of a homerun - except may Nothing beats the thrill of a homerun - except maybe the friendships you make along the way! Softball is more than a sport, it’s a celebration of teamwork, resilience, and heart. Tag a friend you've made through a sport! #SpecialOlympicsWA #SpringSeason #2025SpringStateGames #Softball
As Spring Games approaches, we’re celebrating 50 As Spring Games approaches, we’re celebrating 50 years of Special Olympics Washington with 50 stories in 50 days—and what better way to celebrate than with a dynamic sister duo who bring double the heart to every game? Angel and Destiny Wood are twin sisters who play Unified Sports together at Skyview High School and serve as proud members of the Youth Activation Committee. For the past two years, Unified Sports has given them a chance to do something special: compete side-by-side. “Since we usually play sports at different levels, Unified Sports lets us be on the same team,” they shared. “It’s been an amazing opportunity to create memories together.” One of their favorite moments so far? Winning districts in soccer this year—together. “We’re so glad Unified programs are part of our school,” they said. “It means everything to be able to play as teammates and sisters.” Double the players. Double the pride. Double the impact. See the link in bio! #SpecialOlympicsWA #50thAnniversary #50StoriesFor50Years
🎉Celebrate 50 years of Special Olympics Washing 🎉Celebrate 50 years of Special Olympics Washington, and kick off the 2025 State Spring Games in style! Join us Friday, June 20 at Cheney Stadium for the Opening Ceremony and an unforgettable night with the Tacoma Rainiers. The night will feature a pregame, on field ceremony to celebrate all Special Olympics Washington athletes, followed by the Tacoma Rainiers taking on the Albuquerque Isotopes. Stick around post-game to enjoy a great Friday Night Fireworks. ⚾🎇 🏅 Athletes, coaches, and chaperones - your tickets are included with registration! 👨‍👩‍👧 Family and friends - grab your tickets now for just $13.69 (with fees) before they’re gone! 🎟️Purchase tickets using the link in bio! #SpecialOlympicsWA #2025SpringGames #OpeningCeremony #TacomaRainiers
Spring Games is just days away, and to celebrate 5 Spring Games is just days away, and to celebrate 50 years of inclusion, competition, and unforgettable moments, we’re sharing 50 stories in 50 days—because who doesn’t love a good countdown? Evan Gentry has been competing with the Grays Harbor Hawks for 14 years, driven by his love for sports—and the people he plays them with. “I’ve made really good friends like Matthew, Jessica, Tim, and Patrick,” Evan says. “And I get to play all the sports I like.” One of Evan’s proudest memories? Carrying the torch at Opening Ceremonies during Spring Games—a moment that symbolized just how far he’s come as an athlete and a teammate. He credits his experience to the incredible support system around him: “I love my coaches. Erick and Heather are my favorite.” Here’s to the friendships, the memories, and the next 50 years of lighting the way together. See the link in bio for more information. #SpecialOlympicsWA #50thAnniversary #50StoriesFor50Years
The countdown is on, don’t miss your chance to b The countdown is on, don’t miss your chance to be part of an unforgettable night! Join us Monday, June 16 at @TMobilePark as we celebrate 50 years of inclusion with @Mariners! ⚾💙 🎟️ When you purchase your ticket through our link, $5 goes directly to empowering Special Olympics Washington athletes—supporting sports, health, and leadership opportunities across the state. 👕 Plus, score a special 50th anniversary Mariners x Special Olympics Washington T-shirt - available at the game while supplies last! Final ticket deadline: TODAY | Friday, June 13 at 5:00 p.m. 👉 Purchase tickets using the link in bio! Let’s fill the stands with energy, heart, and fans who believe in a more inclusive future. Tickets are going fast—don’t wait! 💫 #SpecialOlympicsWA #SOWA50thAnniversary #Mariners #CelebrationWeek #StateSpringGames #TmobilePark
Thank you to our incredible teachers for an unforg Thank you to our incredible teachers for an unforgettable school year! Your passion, dedication, and care have made a lasting impact and we appreciate each and every one of you. 💛📚 #UnifiedGeneration #PlayUnified #UnifiedChampionSchools #SpecialOlympicsWA
⚽️ Scoring a goal is electric - but it’s nev ⚽️ Scoring a goal is electric - but it’s never just about one person. It’s about teamwork, trust, and coming together to achieve something greater than yourself. 🙌✨ How have you joined forces with others to reach a shared goal? Share your story of teamwork and triumph below! 👇 #SpecialOlympicsWA #SpringSeason #2025SpringStateGames #Soccer
The 2025 Spring Games is just around the corner, a The 2025 Spring Games is just around the corner, and as we celebrate 50 years of Special Olympics Washington, we're spotlighting 50 powerful stories of athletes, coaches, and volunteers whose lives have been shaped by this movement. Edward Vichi first competed in track and field in 1978—and hasn’t missed a season since. From swimming and softball to bocce and bowling, Edward has done it all, driven by a deep love for sports and inspired by his mom, a passionate athlete herself. One of his most memorable moments came in 1987, when he was selected for a tandem bicycle ride from Houston to New Orleans. “We trained for months,” he says. “The coach was in front, I was in back—and we had a police escort the whole way. It took a week, and I’ll never forget it.” Edward grew up in California, participating with Special Olympics of Sonoma County before moving to Washington in 2015. Now proudly representing the Wolfpack of Spokane, he continues to compete at the age of 66. “I’ve made lifelong friends. I’ve won medals I’m proud of. And I still talk to my best friend from Special Olympics—we met in 1976 and talk every day.” Here’s to the next season, the next race, and the next 50 years of moments like Edward’s. Click the link in our bio for more info! #SpecialOlympicsWA #50thAnniversary #50StoriesFor50Years
Follow on Instagram

Contact Us

  • 2815 Second Avenue Suite 370 Seattle, WA 98121
  • P: (206) 362-4949

Get in Touch

Latest Posts

50 Years Strong: Let’s Celebrate Inclusion, Community, and the Power of Sport

Special Olympics Washington Night At the Mariners

Help Us Celebrate 50 Years by Sharing Your Story

Tags

  • Fundraisers
  • Inclusive Health
  • LETR
  • Lewis County
  • SOWA News
  • State Games
  • Torch Run
  • training
  • Unified Champion Schools

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stay informed

Get all the latest news, notes, sporting results and event information!

  1. About Us
  2. Press Room
  3. Partners
  4. Privacy Policy
  5. Sitemap
  6. Contact
  1. Phone (206) 362-4949
  2. Fax (206) 361-8158
  3. sowa@sowa.org

2815 Second Avenue
Suite 370
Seattle, WA 98121

Friend Special Olympics Washington on Facebook Connect with Special Olympics Washington on LinkedIn Check out Special Olympics Washington on YouTube Check out Special Olympics Washington on Instagram

© 2025 Special Olympics Washington
All Rights Reserved.