Athlete highlight: Amelie Wall

My Name is Amelie Wall. I am 23 years old and have been involved with Special Olympics Minnesota for over 10 years.

I started my Special Olympics career as a 7th grader playing on Minnesota’s first school-based Unified basketball team. Five years later when I graduated from high school, Unified Special Olympics at my school had expanded to include flag football, bowling, track & field and soccer. It had also spread to high schools all over Minnesota.

In 2018, our basketball team was invited to compete at the USA Games in Seattle. We had a great time and even took home the silver medal! Being a member of "Team Minnesota" was one of the best experiences of my life.

But Special Olympics is about more than sports. As a high school student, I got to take part in the Athlete Leadership Program, ALPs for short. As a participant I learned about leadership, self-advocacy and public speaking. I become an Ambassador for Special Olympics.

And in 2019, I was asked to represent the United States at the Southeast Asia Youth Summit in Beijing! I travelled to China with another student and a chaperone from Special Olympics where I got to meet athletes from all over the world. We travelled to other cities around Beijing and even visited the Great Wall. It was one of the best experiences of my life.

While I was a student at Bethel University, I had an opportunity to intern at SOMN headquarters. I also managed Bethel’s Unified basketball and bowling teams.

During COVID, I took a gap year from Bethel and took advantage of several online programs, including one offered by Special Olympics Minnesota LETR. I met other athletes and learned how people in law enforcement support Special Olympics throughout the state.

Now that I’m out of school and working, I’ve continued to be involved in Special Olympics as both a leader and an athlete. This year I attended a career fair designed to bring athletes and employers together. At the fair, I participated in a panel discussion with athletes and employers to talk about what inclusive work environments look like and how we can work together to make that happen. If we can create Unified sports, why not Unified employment?

I have continued to play basketball on a Unified team in my community when I can and compete with other athletes in gymnastics, two of my favorite sports. And this year, I joined a swim team where I will compete for the first time at a regional meet this spring.

I am grateful for all the opportunities Special Olympics Minnesota has given me. I’ve been able to play my favorite sports, make friends for life with both partners and athletes and gain confidence and leadership skills that help me in my job and my life.  

None of these opportunities would have been possible for me or other athletes without the dedication of the hundreds of volunteers who support Special Olympics Minnesota. 

Thank you all for being there for us!

Event recap: Polar Plunge

A big thank you again to everyone who participated in the 2024 Polar Plunge season! This great event brings together many of our law enforcement partners, SOMN athletes and our communities. Because of your generous involvement, we raised $5.3M+ with over 21,000 participants!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Law Enforcement Memorial Day

In honor of Law Enforcement Memorial Day, MN LEMA invites you to the Peace Officer Memorial in St. Paul to honor our fallen officers. The remembrance ceremony will be at 7 PM on May 15. Please arrive 30 minutes prior. Special Olympics Minnesota LETR will have staff and athletes in attendance. We would like to see a good representation from our LETR community.

LEMA offers other opportunities for law enforcement beyond attending the wreath-laying ceremony. Learn more and sign up on the LEMA website

June 17-22, 2024

The Final Leg represents the culmination of all LETR events that have occurred throughout the year. It is a salute to all law enforcement officers who have participated, volunteered and made donations for Special Olympics Minnesota. Starting in all corners of the state, running through cities of all sizes and finishing in the Twin Cities; officers and their families and friends will deliver the Flame of Hope to Opening Ceremonies at Summer Games.

The Final Leg costs $20 which includes a limited-edition t-shirt or hat. Don’t run? Join on bike or just come to cheer.

For more info contact Emma Fiedler at emma.fiedler@somn.org.

Dunkin' Cop on a Rooftop

Save the date! Dunkin’ Cop on a Rooftop is returning on Friday, August 16.

Exact timing and locations will be shared later, so keep your eye out! Please reach out to Cat at catherine.jensen@somn.org if you’re interested in hosting a Dunkin’ location.

LETR highlight: Carter Staaf

My name is Det. Carter Staaf from the Eden Prairie Police Department. In 2007, retired EPPD Chief (then Sergeant) Greg Weber rallied five EPPD officers to participate in the South Metro Polar Bear Plunge. We had an amazing time! The esprit de corps of the event captured us. We decided that the following year, 2008, we wanted to host a Polar Plunge in Eden Prairie.

Since that first Eden Prairie Plunge, I have been hooked on Special Olympics. I proudly wear my Polar Plunge gear and tell everyone who even glances at my shirt to come and jump with us in Eden Prairie.

I think what captures my heart the most about Special Olympics is the vibe surrounding every event. There is something in the air that goes beyond the event. Yes, at its root the events are in support of athletic competition, but something else is present. I think the infusion of respect, love and inclusivity takes all Special Olympics Minnesota events to another level.

As I became more involved, I knew I wanted to serve Special Olympics in other forms. This year I joined the Executive Council as an at-large member. I get an opportunity to see more of the great work Special Olympics Minnesota is doing and preparing for.

I am very excited as Minnesota gets ready to host the International LETR Conference and USA Games. I am inspired to continue my relationship with the amazing people of Special Olympics.

Community engagement

We always enjoy seeing our Law Enforcement officers at our events, and activities. Whether you’re stopping by to watch and cheer on our athletes or Plungers, bringing guests to introduce them to Special Olympics Minnesota, handing out awards or picking up a volunteer shift, your engagement in our mission is always appreciated!

Thu Apr 18 – Basketball competition – Fergus Falls

Sat Apr 20 – Basketball competition – Rogers

Sun Apr 21 – Basketball competition – Hastings

Sun Apr 28 – Basketball competition – Hibbing

Sun Apr 28 – Swimming competition – Rochester

Sat May 4 – Track & field competition – White Bear Lake

Sat May 4 – Track & field competition – Redwood Falls

Sat May 11 – Track & field competition – Cold Spring

Sun May 12 – Track & field competition - Rochester

Fri May 17 – Track & field competition – Detroit Lakes

Sat May 18 – Track & field competition – Grand Rapids

Tue May 21 – Soccer competition – West St. Paul

Thu May 23 – Soccer competition – Blaine

Please contact torchrun@somn.org with any questions.

Check out our LETR webpage! We have information on all our LETR events, new recruitment presentations and handouts, information about open positions on our Executive Council and much more. To get further involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run, visit somn.org/letr or contact Kean Corkery at kean.corkery@somn.org.