Spotlights | Celebrate Athletes — Get Involved Today — Boerne Blaze Special Olympics

Athlete Spotlights

Each month we will Spotlight one of our awesome Boerne Blaze athletes. NOTE: The gap with no athletes spotlighted between December 2024 and May 2026 was not for lack of amazing athletes. The Spotlights are chosen and written by Jenny Cashion, Head of Delegation, and during this period she was away in Colorado caring for her critically-ill son Philip.

Elvis - August 2026

This month spotlight shines on Elvis, a 15-year-old 10th grader at Boerne High School whose joyful spirit and willingness to try new things make him such a special part of the Boerne Blaze family. Elvis is very active in Boerne Blaze sports, including swimming, bowling, cycling, tennis, flag football, and triathlon. Never one to shy away from trying a new challenge, he has also signed up for upcoming pickleball! But he says cycling and swimming are his favorites!

A young man wearing a sparkly green jacket and glasses, with a pink boutonniere on his left lapel, smiling at an outdoor event.

Brady - July 2026

Brady is 16 and a sophomore at Boerne High School where he loves everything about his school day and is an avid fan of the football team, attending every game. He participates in Boerne Blaze basketball, pickleball, flag football, Top Golf, disc golf, tennis, and bowling, with football and basketball his favorites.

A young woman with glasses and pink hair, smiling outdoors in a park setting.

Liezel - December 2024

Liezel (pronounced Leezle) has been an athlete with Boerne Blaze for many years. She is 28 years old and lives at home with her mom and dad (Maria & Mark). She has 2 brothers (Krys & Hunter) and a sister (Nakita) and many nieces and nephews. Liezel’s favorite Boerne Blaze sport is basketball. She also swims, does crossfit, likes to write, listen to music, and walk.

Two smiling young men, one with light skin and the other with darker skin, standing in a gymnasium, with the man in the front wearing a medal around his neck and the person behind him resting their hands on his shoulders.

Neil - November 2024

The November 2024 athlete in the spotlight is someone I have known since he was about 4 years old. His family are pillars of the Boerne Blaze Special Olympics team. Neil is 28 years old and graduated from Boerne High School. He participates in most of the sports we offer: basketball, pickleball, triathlon, bowling and cycling. He says his favorite is bowling!

Young woman smiling, with dark brown hair, wearing a red shirt and a green plaid blazer, standing against a reddish-brown textured wall.

Macauley - October 2024

The October athlete spotlight is 32-year-old Macauley. She participates in Boerne Blaze cheer & dance and is starting with bowling this week! However, she lists her favorite sport as softball which we don’t presently offer. We just need a coach (hint-hint!) Macauley attends the Methodist Helping Hands day program a few days per week.

A young man with short dark hair smiling, wearing a red and blue sports jersey with the text 'Boeing Blaze,' standing indoors in front of large windows.

Mark G. - September 2024

Mark joined Boerne Blaze last sports year (2023-2024) and in fact, received his letter jacket at the kick-off party in July. He will be 35 years old this month. He has participated and competed in the Special Olympics sports of swimming and cycling. He says his favorite sport is the bike! (and man, can he ride fast!)

A young girl with dark hair and light skin, wearing a red ribbon with white snowflakes and text, standing in front of a red background.

Carter - August 2024

This month, we spotlight a new athlete who started with us just this past year. Carter is a 10-year-old who attends Van Raub Elementary. So far, he has participated in Topgolf and tennis. But he is signed up for pickleball and we hope he joins us in many other of our offered sports! Carter lives at home with his mom (Karen), dad (Ty) and twin brother Beckett.

A smiling girl with glasses and long dark hair holding a Disney Frozen playbill at an indoor event.

Chelsea - July 2024

The athlete spotlight for this month is 28-year-old Chelsea! She joined Boerne Blaze last year, as her family relocated from San Antonio to Fair Oaks. Chelsea attended Clark High School and the Nellie Reddix Center in San Antonio. She participates in Boerne Blaze bowling, triathlon, cycling, Topgolf, and swimming.

A young man with glasses, a beard, and a mustache wearing a tan straw hat, a dark blue button-up shirt, and a silver chain necklace with a leaf pendant, making an 'L' shape with his right hand.

Adam - June 2024

This month of June, I am going to take this opportunity to highlight the young man behind my inspiration to pour my heart into the Boerne Blaze—my son, Adam! He will be 30 years this month. This brings back so many memories—good ones, challenging ones, sad ones, but always a blessing in the end.

A smiling woman holding a cup of shaved ice outdoors with a man in the background.

Sarah - May 2024

Sarah is a long-time Boerne Blaze athlete who participates in many of our offered sports. She is 29 years old and attends Helping Hands day program a few days per week. The youngest of the family, Sarah has 2 older brothers: Dennis Ray and Robert. Sarah lives with her mom, Cathy, and Robert.

A woman with light brown hair smiling in a kitchen.

Julia - April 2024

Julia is a 24 year-old young lady. She lives with her mom and dad. She has a brother and sister-in-law as well. Julia is a great helper around the house. She also volunteers at Open Trail Ranch. She takes lessons there every week and gets to ride Tonka-a VERY big horse on the ranch!

Two young men with medals around their necks pose in front of a black background with logos for Torch Run and Play Unified. One wears a white and orange jacket, and the other wears a white shirt and baseball cap. Both are smiling.

Ethan - March 2024

Ethan has been a member of Boerne Blaze since 2022 and has just jumped right in! He participates in swimming, triathlon, basketball, cycling, and tennis. He says he likes triathlon the best! The first year (2022), he competed in level 1 (50-meter swim / 2 mile stationary bike ride / ½ mile run). Ethan has 3 sisters and 1 brother. He is a triplet (not many people can claim that.

A young woman sitting on a black bench outside of a restaurant with a doll in the window behind her, which has a sign reading 'O.S.T Restaurant'.

Stacey - February 2024

Stacey is the youngest of 2 older brothers, Steven and Scott. She participates in bowling, swimming, and triathlon, with her favorite being bowling. What she likes best about BBSO is spending time with friends. Stacey attends the Helping Hands day program on Tuesdays and Thursdays and participates in Jericho Christian fellowship.

A young man wearing glasses and a gray Langston hoodie, standing with arms crossed, wearing a gold medal around his neck against a dark cloudy background.

Jeff - January 2024

Jeff has been involved in Special Olympics most of his life. He joined Boerne Blaze when his family moved here in 2010. His favorite things about BBSO include first "all the people" and second his love of competing and participating! Jeff greets everyone with a smile and welcoming words.

A young boy and a woman in a swimming pool, smiling and hugging each other.

Joseph - December 2023

Our December athlete is a junior at Boerne High School. Joe is the youngest of 3 brothers. His older brothers are Matthew and Charles. Pastimes for Joe are building with Legos, and playing games and watching movies on his iPad. Joe loves spending time with his dogs Arlo and Walker.

A young girl smiling and holding a red phone, making a hand sign with her fingers, at an outdoor event with people and cars in the background.

Faith - November 2023

This month, we spotlight athlete Faith! Joining us just a few years ago when her family moved to Texas, she jumped into several of our sports. In addition, both her parents became coaches to coach our newly formed Top Golf team! Faith loves her brother, Matt and her dog, Barkley. She loves going to the beach and singing.

Young girl with a walker smiling in a room with wooden walls.

Jordan - October 2023

Our athlete in the spotlight for October is 23-year-old Jordan! She loves Boerne Blaze bowling! She also participated in the new disc golf clinic this past summer and plans to be a part of that sport as it gets going. She is interested in cycling and cheer as well. Jordan, what do you like best about Boerne Blaze?: “I like having a buddy right next to me.”

A young man wearing glasses and a blue shirt sitting in the backseat of a car, smiling at the camera.

Sean - September 2023

Sean is a wonderful athlete with Boerne Blaze. He started with us just 2 years ago, when he moved to Boerne. He has participated in just about every sport we have. At the 2023 end of the year sports banquet, he was awarded Athlete of the Year for his hard work, enthusiasm, and skill improvement.

Child with glasses and yellow headphones holding a small British flag at a restaurant or cafe.

JR - August 2023

Our athlete spotlight for the month of August is a boy who joined the Boerne Blaze just last year during basketball season. Meet J.R! (and just so you know…pretty sure J.R. stands for Jason Russell!) J.R. is 10 years old. His parents are Amanda and Jason. He also has on older brother who is serving in the US Army. JR is so proud of his brother.

A young girl painting with purple paint on a white surface, holding a paintbrush in her right hand and a green and black object in her left hand, seated at a table in a classroom with other children in the background.

Leila - July 2023

Leila has been an athlete with Boerne Blaze for many years. She is now 18 years old and a beautiful young lady. Leila lives with her mother and stepfather and step sister (who is also an athlete with us). Leila loves baking cookies & brownies and going out to restaurants. Her favorite food is steak.

A person smiling and standing next to a tree decorated with string lights in red, yellow, and purple colors, resembling a rainbow.

Sam - June 2023

Sam loves firetrucks, holiday lights, garage doors and elevators, and his silly dog, Kaya. He is a 27-year-old man who has been an athlete with Boerne Blaze for many years. He has participated in basketball and cycling but his all-time favorite is bowling!!! And his fav coach is…you guessed it…Angela Fisk, the head bowling coach!

A young girl with dark hair and a light complexion wearing a gray and white striped shirt, holding a purple hat on her head, smiling at the camera.

Katie - May 2023

Katie is a 21 year old athlete with the Boerne Blaze. She has been with us for many years, and is a joy to have around. She usually participates in swimming and cycling and this year also did the indoor triathlon. She always seems happy to be at practice and works hard. She is steady and consistent. Katie’s favorite sport is swimming but she loves anything outdoors.

A young boy wearing a cowboy hat and a patterned shirt, smiling at the camera while sitting at a table in a crowded indoor event space.

Asher - April 2023

Asher joined Boerne Blaze in the fall of 2021 during our basketball season (limited due to Covid). He is 11 years old and attends Fabra Elementary. Off to Boerne Middle School North next school year! His parents are Samantha and Christopher. Asher is the oldest of 3 boys. Tristan is 8 and Jameson is 3. Asher is outgoing, loving, and caring. He is an amazing big brother.

Bekah - March 2023

Bekah has been an athlete with Boerne Blaze for several years. She has done cycling and swimming with us, but her favorite is basketball!!! And for that, BBSO is the “go-to” place! She loves Michael Jordan and likes to be called MJ as she shows you her muscles! Bekah watches You-Tube videos about basketball and especially those about Michael Jordan.

A man with brown hair, missing teeth, and a goatee, wearing a purple T-shirt and carrying a black backpack, standing in a sunlit living room with plants and a dining area in the background.

Jereme - February 2023

Many years ago, one of our out-going coaches saw Jereme and his family in a local store. Not recognizing him as one of our Boerne Blaze athletes, she approached the family and invited him to a practice. He has been a very active participant ever since! Jereme participates in swimming, cycling, basketball, bowling, and tennis.