Savannah Townsend of Gainesville, Florida, participated in Special Olympics for a year in high school and has been active for more than a year in college. She has trained in athletics, basketball, bowling, cheerleading, flag football, softball and swimming. She will represent Special Olympics USA as an assistant coach in basketball. A student at the University of Florida, Savannah serves on the executive board for the school’s Special Olympics College Club. In 2021 and 2022, the club was named national champion of the Special Olympics Virtual College Rivalry Championship, presented by ESPN.
Savannah is part of the community engagement team of Alachua County and spends her free time volunteering with Special Olympics, exploring new trains, painting and spending time with her cat. She is most appreciative of her parents for their support and encouragement. Special Olympics has changed her life in many ways, creating lifetime friendships and seeing the impact that inclusion can have on a community.