Wilkerson sweeps Gold at Special Olympics
Stephanie Wilkerson has jumped over many obstacles in her 31 years. She began riding horses at age eight; she commenced competing in Special Olympics in 2015 shortly before being thrown from a horse that she says “just got spooked.” That accident led to five surgeries that include removing bone from her hip to her fractured forearm. The East Davidson High School alumna takes it all in stride.
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“She’s always liked playing sports but they discouraged her from trying out for school teams,” her mother, Lori, explained.
“After I graduated,” Stephanie said, “I wanted to get back into sports because I wanted to be a social butterfly and play.” She has competed in cheer, gymnastics, softball, equestrian and unified tennis. Equestrian is her favorite. “I like to be around the horses.” Stephanie has won a host of medals through the years - 17 gold, nine silver and two bronze. But who’s counting?
Those who know Wilkerson will attest that sweeping the stage with three gold medals during this year’s Special Olympics Equestrian State Tournament speaks to her determination to do her best. According to mom Lori, it also speaks to the encouragement of the support of those surrounding Wilkerson. As a middle school youth, Wilkerson was involved with Special Olympics as a cheerleader before being told by classmates that there was a “stigma” for athletes. She said she returned to competing because she felt “lonely.” Her mom says it’s been a big part of her life after high school. “She loves to be social and this is important to her.”
The groundbreaking Davidson County resident holds several statewide positions: Special Olympics Davidson County (SODC) Board Athlete Representative, Special Olympics North Carolina (SONC) Global Messenger, Special Olympics North Carolina Athlete Ambassador, North Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run (NC LETR) Athlete Ambassador and a Unified Leadership Trainer for Special Olympic of NC. She wants to see as many athletes experience the sense of pride she has through the competition. “It makes me happy. I feel like I accomplished something.”
This was Stephanie’s first time sweeping the Equestrian competition, which she called “Pretty neat.” In addition to competing for the top spot in categories such as English Equitation, Cowboy Trails and Showmanship, Wilkerson served as a co-emcee for the games.
This was the inaugural year of holding the Equestrian games at Tryon Equestrian Farms, located near Tryon, North Carolina. The internationally-renowned epicenter for luxury equestrian is a peaceful environment. Wilkerson said she was wowed by the facility owned by Travis Oates and Molly Oates Sherrill, who both earned degrees from Appalachian State University. She lists meeting Molly as one of the highlights of her experience.
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Outside of training, Wilkerson is engaged in helping to plan the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics. The event to-be-announced for April is a “grass-roots fundraiser for Special Olympics.” Known as Guardians of the Flame, law enforcement members and Special Olympics athletes carry the Flame of Hope into the Opening Ceremony of local competitions, as well as into Special Olympics State, Provincial, National, Regional and World Games.” This year, the Wilkersons have been invited to participate in the national conference in Round Rock, Texas. Annually, more than 100,000 dedicated and compassionate law enforcement members carry the “Flame of Hope,” symbolizing courage and celebration of diversity uniting communities around the globe.
“The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is important because the money raised supports the nearly 40,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities and their families statewide,” Cpl. Jeremy K. Parks of the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office said.
