The 2025 Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Summer Games which were held June 5-7 at Penn State University represent PA’s largest statewide athletic competition, bringing together more than 2,000 athletes, 750 coaches, and 1,000+ volunteers. The three-day event is an opportunity for individuals with intellectual disabilities to compete and vie for medals in a variety of sports, including aquatics, athletics, basketball, golf, gymnastics, softball, swimming, and tennis.

This issue of Mission Moments invites you to join us in recognizing and celebrating individuals across UCP’s service area who have challenged themselves and showcased their skills, strength, determination, and Olympic spirit by participating in the Games.

A primary goal of UCP services and supports is to encourage, engage, and empower participants to strive to live their best lives and where possible, to become actively involved in the community in meaningful ways. Through their participation in the Special Olympics, the following individuals did just that:

Wilbur W.

Wilbur has been golfing for Special Olympics Team Area M (representing the Capital Area Region, including Dauphin, Cumberland, Perry and Northern York Counties) since prior to the pandemic in 2020. What he enjoys most about golfing in the Summer Games is the opportunity to be outdoors, the competition, connecting with the ball, and, of course, riding the golf cart! Wilbur has lived in one of UCP’s Community Homes, along with two housemates, since 2020.

Dana S.

Dana has been active with Special Olympics for 13 years. While her passion is Speed Skating in the Winter Games, as soon as they’re over, she begins training for track and field for the Summer Games. While an untimely illness prevented Dana from competing and adding to her current medal count this summer, she and her parents still traveled to Penn State to support her fellow athletes. A 2022 graduate of UCP’s Pathways Academy, Dana shares an apartment with friend and fellow graduate Morgan and receives in-home supports from UCP’s Home and Community Services. Along with her parents, Dana is Founder and VP of Design at Alpaca Fiber Designs.

Molly H.

Molly has been competing in the Special Olympics since she was in elementary school and has earned a wall full of medals since then. At last count, she has 89. Molly participated in tennis for the first time in 2025 and came in second place in the Summer Games. She says it’s her new favorite sport. She also loves soccer and has already begun training for the SOPA Fall Festival to be held at Villanova University in November. She is currently a member of the Special Olympics Athletes Leadership Team, a group of adult athletes who meet with the SOPA leadership monthly to plan for upcoming events and activities. Asked about the impact of the Special Olympics, Molly says quite simply “It’s changed my life.” A 2023 graduate of Pathways Academy, she has lived on her own ever since. UCP’s Employment Services helped her secure a job she loves at Inspiration Station daycare, where she is coming up on one year of employment. She also receives minimal supports from UCP’s Home and Community services twice a week.

Ben F.

Ben became involved with Special Olympics in 2007 under the tutelage of his special education teacher at Susquenita High School who was a long-time SOPA coach. Ben has participated in at least one sport each season of the year ever since. His first events were track and field: speedwalking, mini-javelin, and shot put. He has also done volleyball, floor hockey, and soccer. Ben developed a bad case of pneumonia in April of this year, which unfortunately prohibited him from competing in the 2025 track and field events at State College. While he almost always earns medals, the biggest draw to Special Olympics for Ben is the social aspect. The weekly practices and various competitions keep him active. For the past ten years or so, Ben has been involved in the Athlete Leadership Team. His involvement with SOPA has also given Ben the opportunity to socialize and date. He is actively promoting Special Olympics involvement to his girlfriend’s parents, because he feels that being involved would be good for her too! Ben has been active with UCP’s Newport CPS for one year.

Missy A.

Missy, who is turning 30 this summer, has been involved in Special Olympics since she was 13. She is active in one sport or another year-round. While her favorites are basketball and bowling, she also does bocce, long distance walking, and snow-shoeing. Her basketball team earned a Silver medal at the 2025 Summer Games, missing out on the gold by just two points in double overtime! Still, what she likes most about her Special Olympics experience is the opportunity to socialize and help friends compete. She has been active with UCP’s CPS since 2017.

Michael T.

Michael, 28, lives in Windber, PA, which is outside UCP’s service area. However, he has made quite a name for himself as the dashing gentleman that accompanies his sister (and UBER UCP Volunteer) Marisa T to UCP’s Magic Night gala every year. Apparently, Michael doesn’t just have moves on the dance floor… he participated in four events this summer: the 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, 4×100 meter relay, and javelin. His performance earned him 3 gold and 2 bronze medals. When told he was going to be given a “shout out” in the UCP E-news, Michael, who has been active in Special Olympics for the past 18 years, had this to say: “I am so proud to be a Special Olympian.”

We at UCP are equally proud of you and all your fellow Special Olympians!