Sophie is a 20-year-old and has been involved with Special Olympics for over 9 years. She is a junior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Nebraska, USA. At her college, Sophie serves as President of UNL Unified, a college club that provides Unified Intramural Sports and social opportunities for people with and without intellectual disabilities. She represents her college on the Special Olympics National College Work Team to help spread inclusive college initiatives across the country. Sophie and her Unified Partner, Joey, just finished their term as Co-Presidents of the Special Olympics US Youth Ambassador Program. Together they shared their story with inclusion on a national platform, inspiring other youth to find their voice and become changemakers like Sophie and Joey.
Before joining the Unified Generation, Sophie was quiet and kept to herself. However, in the Unified Generation, she found her voice and her purpose. Inclusive activities shaped Sophie into the person she is today—teaching her lessons of determination, joy, and resilience. The Unified Generation provided Sophie with a support network of friends, mentors, and leaders. She found a community of like-minded individuals who helped her grow and accepted her for her true self. Special Olympics provided her with a family that loves her unconditionally—a family that she couldn’t live without. Sophie is a leader of the Unified Generation because everyone deserves to be a part of a community where they are heard, valued, and loved.
Global Youth Leadership Council Class of 2022 – 2023
-
Simran Sahni
Special Olympics Asia Pacific -
Salihin Bin Nawi
Special Olympics Asia Pacific -
Godspower I. Udokang
Special Olympics Africa -
Isatou Sanyang
Special Olympics Africa -
Mara Oprea
Special Olympics Europe Eurasia -
Anca Oprea
Special Olympics Europe Eurasia -
Wei Hang Lai (Ray)
Special Olympics East Asia -
Wing Chun Yung (Kelvin)
Special Olympics East Asia -
Luka Brenk
Special Olympics Europe Eurasia -
Gian-Luca Castelberg
Special Olympics Europe Eurasia -
Daniela Luna García
Special Olympics Latin America -
Mildred Italia Benítez Sanabria
Special Olympics Latin America -
Rougina El Sayegh
Special Olympics Middle East/North Africa -
Tali Nasser El Husseini
Special Olympics Middle East/North Africa -
Sophie Hill
Special Olympics North America -
Joey Drwal
Special Olympics North America