Last night, Mayor Jim Schwantz and The Village of Palatine recognized Karlee Darow with a proclamation at their monthly Village Council Meeting. Karlee will compete in gymnastics as part of Team Illinois this summer at the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games in New Jersey.
Team Illinois is comprised of 53 athletes, 6 Unified Partners and 15 Coaches. The USA Games happen every four years and this is only the third USA Games in history.
Karlee was the first student to graduate 8th grade from St. Thomas of Villanova School with Down syndrome and just this week she graduated from Palatine High School, where she was a member of the school’s flags team her freshman year. She is currently a Buddy Director for Best Buddies and is a member of the President’s Club.
Find out what's happening in Palatinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Karlee has also been a state competitor with the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America in cookie decorating!
Special Olympics has made Karlee more confident and strong. She says, “It is awesome to be part of Team Illinois and I am excited to meet people from all over the county. I like being a part of a team.”
Find out what's happening in Palatinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
She says Special Olympics has helped her take on new challenges. “I have learned not to give up and to try hard.”
The public is encouraged to wish Karlee and her fellow Team Illinois athletes good luck and show their support on June 6 with the Special Olympics Illinois Virtual Sendoff. For more information visit the please visit facebook.com/specialolympicsillinois.
Want to get involved in Special Olympics Illinois? If you or someone you know is interested in becoming an athlete, volunteer or coach please visit www.soill.org!
