SOMO athletes Anna McDaniel and Allen Tobin emceed the program. During the ceremony, SOMO held its annual graduation for the Athlete Leadership Program. There were 13 ALPs graduates this year, including McDaniel and Tobin.
- Lynna Hodgson: Technology
- Anna McDaniel: Health & Coaching
- Lynn Shuffit: Health Major
- Kayla Dannenmueller: Technology & Coaching
- Allison Hill: Health
- Allen Tobin: Technology & Health
- Thomas Frost: Technology
- Amanda Koch: Technology & Health
- Charlie Phillips: Communications
- Shaquana Lowry: Technology
- Leah Shoemaker: Communications
- Drew Thompson: Health
- Bill Sampson (Posthumously): Communications
Daniel Smrokowski was a guest speaker. Smrokowski is a Special Olympics Illinois athlete and Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger. He is an award-winning and veteran podcaster, columnist, and acclaimed advocate for telling disability stories on his groundbreaking and global platform, Special Chronicles.
Outstanding Athlete of the Year, Outstanding Coach of the Year, Outstanding Volunteer of the Year, and Outstanding Family of the Year were all recognized. The area winners were selected in August, and these area winners were the nominees for the statewide awards.
OUTSTANDING ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Statewide Winner: Tanner Hrenchir
- Central Area: Logan Hulett
- North Area: Tanner Hrenchir
- St. Louis Metro Area: Brent Kampert
- KC Metro Area: Shaquana Hobbs
- Southeast Area: Dalton Myers
- Southwest Area: Bill Sampson
OUTSTANDING COACH OF THE YEAR
Statewide Winner: Leslie Franklin
- Central Area: Krystal Sims
- North Area: Dan Niemeyer
- St. Louis Metro Area: Connie Pado
- KC Metro Area: Lori Benson
- Southeast Area: Melody Gardner
- Southwest Area: Leslie Franklin
OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Statewide Winner: Aaron Shillcutt
- Central Area: Genice Fisher
- North Area: James Runde
- St. Louis Metro Area: Sam Rauls
- KC Metro Area: Aaron Shillcutt
- Southeast Area: Josh Crain
- Southwest Area: Sarah Bachand
OUTSTANDING FAMILY OF THE YEAR
Statewide Winner: Southern Family
- Central Area: Baker Family
- North Area: Davidson Family
- KC Metro Area: Bryant-McCanse/Harrelson Family
- Southwest Area: Southern Family
The ceremony continued with SOMO officially inducting its Hall of Fame Class of 2022. The following three individuals were added to the SOMO Hall of Fame.
Tanner Hrenchir – Athlete | North Area
Tanner Hrenchir is the epitome of what SOMO is all about. Over the span of the last 31 years, Tanner has been a leader for the North Area athletes. He has had a tremendous impact on the growth of the program by serving as an advocate for the start of so many new sports, such as volleyball, golf, and tennis. Tanner gives 100% of himself in every sport he participates in. His dedication to sports continues to grow every time he steps on the field, in large part due to the confidence he has obtained through his participation in SOMO. Tanner is one of the most decorated athletes in SOMO history. In 2010, Tanner was selected to be a part of Team Missouri for the Special Olympics USA Games in Lincoln, Neb. He dedicated an entire year to practicing and training to better himself for the week-long Games. It all paid off as he came home with a silver and bronze medal, along with two fourth-place finishes. A few years later, Tanner was selected to compete on Team Missouri’s flag football team for the 2014 USA Games in New Jersey. Most recently, Tanner was Team Missouri’s lone powerlifter at the 2022 USA Games in Orlando, Fla. He came home with gold, two silvers, and one bronze medal.
Simon Caldwell – Athlete | North Area
Simon Caldwell has been involved with SOMO for 21 years. It’s safe to say he’s made the most of his time with SOMO. Simon graduated from Savannah High School in 2006. Since then, his SOMO career has flourished. Simon has competed in several sports, including basketball, flag football, and tennis. Simon’s tennis skills took him all the way to the 2010 Special Olympics USA Games in Lincoln, Neb. He earned a gold medal in men’s singles. In 2014, Simon was back at the USA Games in New Jersey. He competed in modified flag football for Team Missouri. Four years later, Simon participated in his third USA Games in Seattle, Wash. He competed in singles and doubles tennis. When Simon is not training or competing, he works at Special Industries. He’s now worked there for 15 years. Simon has always displayed excellent sportsmanship on and off the field, and he has brought awareness of SOMO to his community. Simon is a former president of the Savannah Lions Club. He has been with the club for 12 years.
Jeffery Fugett – Volunteer | Southwest Area
Jeffery Fugett began volunteering for SOMO in 1999. He has served as the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop D Agency Coordinator since 2005, working with fellow officers to raise funds and recruit volunteers for SOMO athletic events. He is the Region 3 Law Enforcement SOMO Coordinator for 23 counties in Southwest Missouri, where he coordinates and assists law enforcement agencies with torch runs, fundraising, and other event planning. Jeffery has been on the State Summer Games’ Games Management Team roughly a dozen times, helping coordinate the final leg of the torch run, setting up equipment, setting up for opening ceremonies, and coordinating law enforcement officials to award athlete medals. Jeffery has also served on the Polar Plunge committee since 2004, first in Branson and now in Springfield. He has obtained sponsors, set up events, recruited participants, and even participated himself. Jeffery has been a Super Plunger at seven different Polar Plunges. A Super Plunger jumps into the freezing cold water every hour for 24 straight hours. That’s some serious dedication. Jeffery is also a Unified partner for softball and flag football. He competes on multiple teams with SOMO athletes and non-SOMO athletes. He’s also a SOMO coach. These roles have taken Jeffery all over the world. In 2007, he was chosen to run the final leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run at the World Games in China. In 2010, he coached the Team Missouri basketball team at the USA Games in Nebraska, and he did so again in New Jersey in 2014. Most recently, Jeffery competed in flag football at the 2022 USA Games in Orlando, Fla. He helped his team earn a bronze medal.
The program concluded with the announcement of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award of Excellence. This year’s recipient is Diamond Pet Foods.
The EKS Award of Excellence is deemed the highest honor the SOMO Board of Directors bestows on an individual or organization for its years of service and impact on the SOMO Program.
Special Olympics Missouri is a year-round program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Thousands of athletes participate in 16 Olympic-type sports throughout the state. SOMO provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts and friendship with their fellow athletes, their family and friends, and communities across Missouri.
