SOUTHERN REGIONAL WINNER Katie Pullano was nominated by
Julie Harrison, but when we began to follow up on Katie we found that she has a
“Texas size” fan base. In the Bedford
Texas area you might find that the people she’s had a positive impact on are
never much more than a stone's throw away. This young lady bubbles with personality and her smile is contagious. Here's what her nominator (Special Olympics Coach, Julie Harrison) had to say about her.
Nominated by Julie Harrison, Special Olympics Coach
Katie uses her voice as a tool to raise awareness and promote equality for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Katie is involved in many extra-curricular activities, but is always ready and available to serve as a Unified Partner or volunteer at a local or state competition. Katie was selected as the 2011 Unified Athlete of the Year for the Special Olympics Texas-Greater Fort Worth Area. On March 7, Katie organized a “Ban the ‘R’ Word” campaign for her school and continues this campaign daily. Through her involvement in school activities Katie is able to spread her mission to many people, both students and staff. Katie politely asked a teacher to quit using the “R” word and provided her with a button and informational pamphlet so she can spread the word to others. Katie has lofty goals, one of which is to speak to Congress. I look forward to the day that I can sit and watch Katie address this group about the importance of acceptance, inclusion, and awareness. She truly is a shining star and will continue to do amazing things for individuals with disabilities.
Katie uses her voice as a tool to raise awareness and promote equality for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Katie is involved in many extra-curricular activities, but is always ready and available to serve as a Unified Partner or volunteer at a local or state competition. Katie was selected as the 2011 Unified Athlete of the Year for the Special Olympics Texas-Greater Fort Worth Area. On March 7, Katie organized a “Ban the ‘R’ Word” campaign for her school and continues this campaign daily. Through her involvement in school activities Katie is able to spread her mission to many people, both students and staff. Katie politely asked a teacher to quit using the “R” word and provided her with a button and informational pamphlet so she can spread the word to others. Katie has lofty goals, one of which is to speak to Congress. I look forward to the day that I can sit and watch Katie address this group about the importance of acceptance, inclusion, and awareness. She truly is a shining star and will continue to do amazing things for individuals with disabilities.
When we spoke to Katie we found that two incredible Special
Olympics athletes, Kalli and Colby, changed her life. She mentioned that their high spirits,
unconditional love, unending compassion, and extreme perseverance through the
challenges of having Down Syndrome impacted her life from there on. Katie participates in Unified Sports, Special
Olympics, and has volunteered at a social skills day camp for Hurst-Euless-
Bedford ISD the past 3 summers. The camp
is for students with autism. Katie now
plans to pursue a career in teaching / coaching secondary school special needs
students. We’re so proud of you
Katie!
A few words from Katie
My name is Katie Pullano and I’m a 15 year
old freshman who attends Harwood Junior High School in Bedford, Texas. It was 4 years ago that I met two people who
forever changed my life. Kalli and Colby, both very active in Special Olympics
swimming as well as many other sports, impressed me from the day I met them.
Their high spirits, unconditional love, unending compassion, and extreme
perseverance through the challenges of having Down Syndrome impacted me on the
pool deck as we prepared for our race. I am a Unified Athlete with Special
Olympics Texas-Greater Fort Worth Area and I’ve been very fortunate to have
many rewarding opportunities with some amazing athletes. Beyond just having a
great time swimming with some inspiring people I found a passion that had
previously laid dormant in me. It wasn’t long after starting my volunteer work
with Special Olympics that I found my calling; working with children with
intellectual disabilities.
Since meeting Kalli and Colby several years ago my
relationship with both of them has grown and developed to a strong friendship.
Now, there are very few weeks that go by without my world being lit up with
Kalli, who I can honestly say is one of my best friends. Through one of my
mother’s work friends, Julie Harrison, I have become increasingly more involved
with Special Olympics. I have volunteered and cheered at power lifting,
cycling, gymnastics, and swimming. The past 3 years I have enjoyed volunteering
and participating in our local opening ceremonies for Special Olympic Games.
Every time I go to an event, I meet great new people and have valuable new
experiences. I was selected as the Greater Fort Worth Area Special Olympics
Unified Athlete of the Year in 2010 for my participation with Kalli and Colby’s
team. In addition to my work with
Special Olympics, I have volunteered at a social skills day camp for
Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD the past 3 summers. This camp is for students with
autism and has created unforgettable memories.
I am a friend, model, and supporter to the many students that
participate in this program.
Most recently, and possibly most importantly, I have become
very active in the Ban the R Word campaign. By hanging up pledge posters in
several classrooms, passing out stickers and spreading awareness of the harm in
the word “retard,” I helped to create an accepting and loving environment at my
school. In the future, I hope to continue my work with the Ban the R Word
campaign at my new high school. I hope to become a special education teacher
and coach in a secondary school. I
believe that my experiences with Kalli and Colby have helped me define myself
as a person. Finally, through my work with Special Olympics, I have made my
decision and goal to further the knowledge, awareness and inclusion of children
with intellectual disabilities in schools across the country.
If you prefer to use US Post, you can send donations to:
Special Olympics Area
11
6707 Brentwood Stair
Road, Suite 218
Fort Worth, TX 76112
You can specify that you want the money to stay in Area 11
and even whether you want it to go to Unified Sports or the Special Olympics
program in that area. We encourage you to go online and look at all the great ways you can help!
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