The Special Olympics Saskatchewan SaskTel Awards Banquet was hosted in Yorkton Saturday at the Gallagher Centre.
“Special Olympics Saskatchewan takes great pride in acknowledging some of our greatest athletes, volunteers, supporters, and sponsors,” detailed the evening’s program. “Without the dedication of these and many other individuals and organizations, we would not be able to provide our athletes with the opportunity to participate in sport training and competition, while making new friends and creating lifelong memories.”
The following awards were presented, detailed here with information from the program on the recipients;
Coaches of the Year: The awards were presented to Special Olympics Saskatchewan’s most outstanding coaches. Nominated by athletes, volunteers, parents, and community members, award recipients are chosen based on their contributions to sports in coaching effectiveness, professional development, and leadership with Special Olympics.
Sherry Pasloski – Yorkton
Sherry is a ‘Jack of all Trades’ when it comes to Special Olympics. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Special Olympics Yorkton and District Community, of which she has upheld the position of secretary the past five years. She is a key asset in keeping the group operating at a high level.
Sherry is the head coach for the Yorkton Bocce Program and also helps coach the 5-Pin Bowlers on a weekly basis. In addition, she has been a driver in the development of the Snowshoeing program, and also volunteers with the Yorkton Storm Swim Club, which has now integrated our swimming athletes into their mainstream programs.
Wayne Michaluk – Regina
Wayne has been involved with curling as a coach since 2004, when his daughters were participants in the Curl for Kids program running out of the Highland Curling Club. From there, he coached them through a total of seven Provincial competitions. At one of the Provincial Competitions he was also voted "Coach of the Year" for his professionalism and sportsmanship.
He also coached a team in the Provincial Winter Games in 2010 and 2011. Wayne was the Sports Tec for the Special Olympics Winter Games for the sport of curling in 2014. In the 2019 Winter Games, Wayne coached the team to a silver medal.
Junior Coach of the Year: This award is presented to Special Olympics Saskatchewan’s most dedicated coach or volunteer under the age of 21. Nominated by coaches, athletes, volunteers, and community members, award recipients are chosen based on their contribution to sports, coaching effectiveness, development, and leadership.
Theo Lautsch - Swift Current
Theo not only coaches Curling, he is an active curler himself. He is able to work with the athletes and adapt his training methods to meet their particular skill level. Theo completed the Special Olympics Competition Coaching program and understands the importance of meeting the athletes at their level to give them confidence and a good feeling about the level they are competing at. He feels Special Olympics gives the athletes a voice in the community and always is willing to go above and beyond to make sure the athletes have a positive experience through sport.
Volunteer of the Year: This award goes to a Special Olympics volunteer who has made a significant contribution to Special Olympics within their community or district, not necessarily in a sporting context.
Pam Schmuck - Yorkton
Pam is an active member of the Special Olympics Yorkton Board of Directors and is a representative on the Provincial SAC Committee. She believes strongly in Special Olympics and the inclusion of our athletes into the community wherever possible. She is now involved with getting as many of our athletes as possible, involved in the collaboration with Anytime Fitness, where our athletes now receive free membership for the year. She goes to the gym herself, not to coach the athletes, but to simply be there to give them encouragement as they work with the other fitness instructors. She attends Bocce and Bowling nearly every week, assisting where needed and giving encouragement to our athletes. Her upbeat personality makes all the practices a happy place for coaches, volunteers and athletes.
Team of the Year: This award is presented to the Special Olympics Saskatchewan sports team that was most successful in working together to reach the team’s athletic goals. All athletes on the team did their personal best, demonstrated true sportsmanship, and exemplified the true spirit of Special Olympics.
Ladies Team Sask 5 Pin Bowling - Combination Team: Regina; Saskatoon; Meadow Lake
The Ladies Team Sask 5-Pin Bowling Team consists of Candace Bates, Lindsay Markwart, Bree Warsaba, Renee Scherr, Pam Mcgee and coach Rhonda Penno. They are kind and caring individuals, and celebrate the other athletes in their personal achievements and successes. They have a very strong sense of community ingrained in their bones and are strong advocates for people with intellectual disabilities and Special Olympics.
Each individual is an asset and offers so much to the team. These ladies each hold an essential place on the team, and are celebrated for their different personalities, qualities, and skills that represent and define who they are.
Each member of the group is a role model, a mentor, friend, and a leader in both Special Olympics and in their home communities. They are ambassadors for our organization across the province and show no signs of changing that. They take pride in being a part of Special Olympics and promote how the programs and sport have changed their lives for the better. One can visibly see that through their dedication and all of their efforts of ‘just being themselves’ – they are creating a more inclusive, accepting, and celebratory environment for people with intellectual disabilities.
Athletes of the Year: These awards are presented to Special Olympics Saskatchewan athletes who have demonstrated significant personal and athletic growth, and who best demonstrates the qualities of the Special Olympics Athlete’s Oath.
Colby Kosteniuk – Regina
Colby will always tell everyone that: ‘Swimming is where he found his niche, and when he joined Special Olympics, his confidence’. This is also how he explained his Games experiences, in simply looking at it as a new beginning, opportunity, and privilege to be a part of. He is a true ambassador for Special Olympics. He promotes what the programs have done for him, as he has grown over the years. Colby will always be the first to make sure new athletes feel welcome. As he says (in his own words) “it can be scary, and sometimes you just need a friend to show you the ropes!” He knows what it means to be a Special Olympics athlete - he knows that his responsibilities go beyond competing and training as an individual. He knows that it is about friendship, and building up those around you - and he takes this on wholeheartedly. Colby was asked to join Team Sask, and following, Team Canada. At the World Games in Abu Dhabi - Colby was highly successful, bringing home a number of medals. He was a great ambassador and representative for Canada, our province and Special Olympics in general.
Tia Zimmerman – Humboldt
Tia is respectful and supportive of her fellow teammates; she is overjoyed when another athlete achieves success. Tia continually encourages others to do their best, as others have encouraged her to do the same. Tia has an unprecedented sportsmanship attitude and makes a distinct effort to uphold a positive position within the sport community. Tia qualified to participate in the Special Olympics Saskatchewan Provincial Games, and from there was picked as an alternate for Nationals. When her team mate could not participate, she had to learn how to swim longer distance races. This all culminated in Tia being able to compete and medal in these races - Not only at Nationals - But also at the World Games in Abu Dhabi! Tia is a true role model for athletes that have intellectual disabilities. Simply put, Tia has inspired others to be champions and encourages her teammates to be the best they can.
Shining Star: This award is presented to a Special Olympics Saskatchewan athlete who has best exemplified the spirit of Special Olympics over the past year through their displays of sportsmanship, striving spirit, continuous effort, positive attitude, and courtesy to their fellow athletes.
Kolby Arlitt – Unity
Kolby is an active athlete in the Special Olympics Bowling, Powerlifting and Bocce programs. He attends practices regularly, even with the challenges of living 60+km away from the facilities where they are held. Kolby is a positive influence in the group – greeting people by name and making everyone feel welcome and important. He is an engaging individual, and often comes to practice with a new story or joke to tell. Kolby loves Special Olympics and the sporting opportunities it provides. This year Kolby ran his very own bake sale fundraiser for Special Olympics at his school. All the proceeds raised were shared with his fellow athletes toward programming. He is extremely proud of his Special Olympics accomplishments and family.
Community Excellence Award: This award is selected by the Special Olympics Saskatchewan Provincial Office and is awarded to a community that puts forth a genuine effort to have high-level and quality programming at the community level, as well as with provincial initiatives and fundraisers.
Special Olympics Moose Jaw
Bob Pedde Memorial Award: This award, named after the late Bob Pedde, a long-time volunteer, is awarded to an individual or group who has shown outstanding dedication and contribution to Special Olympics Saskatchewan. “In memory of Bob Pedde whose dedication to the Special Olympics movement was legendary.”
Shauna Hammer
