Meet Jamie Staton's Virtual Running Team: Mile 20      
KENNETH COPELAND & AARON PULESKI 
Name: Kenneth Copeland

Age: 66

Local Program: Manchester

Sports: Basketball, bowling, golf, snowshoeing & swimming

Kenneth Copeland started competing in Special Olympics at the age of 19 after watching his friend, David Stores, compete in a Special Olympics event. Kenneth saw the fun that everyone was having and immediately wanted to join in!

Kenneth attended this year's State Winter Games at Waterville Valley, competing as the oldest athlete in attendance at the age of sixty-six. During those games, he came home with two silver medals in the 800 meter and 1600 meter snowshoe races.

Kenneth's hobbies include hiking, scuba diving, working out at SNHU, doing cross word puzzles and attending Manchester Monarchs and Fisher Cats games. He also really enjoys playing golf with his Unified Golf partner Vicki; both of them will be playing in a Special Olympics tournament in Thomaston, CT this summer.

Special Olympics has taught Kenneth to be confident in himself and has provided him the motivation to live a healthy lifestyle, which has allowed him to still compete to this day. He said, "Special Olympics has changed my life, it has brought me to different places and I got to meet so many new people; it has really built up my confidence and I am very proud of my medals."
Name: Aaron Puleski

Age: 15

Local Program: Hudson

Sports: Athletics, basketball, golf, floor hockey & bowling

Aaron Puleski first started competing in Special Olympics at ten years old; his special education teacher connected him with a local program.

Special Olympics has taught Aaron important leadership skills. With the guidance from his Unified Golf partner, Mrs. Truesdell, Aaron has learned that it is important to always try your best and be supportive of your teammates. Competing in Special Olympics, Aaron learned how to motivate his teammates with positive encouraging words and set a good example by displaying good sportsmanship while competing.

Aaron was able to transfer the skills he gained in Special Olympics to his middle school cross country team. Aaron became a captain of the Hudson Middle School cross country team where his teammates looked up to him. At the end of the season, he earned the Colt Award, which recognizes individuals for being great leaders.