2024 Spirit of Special Olympics Award Winners

Special Olympics Indiana presented the 2024 Spirit of Special Olympics Awards today at its state conference in Noblesville.

The annual awards recognize an athlete, coach, volunteer, famliy and law enforcement officer who demonstrate outstanding support and dedication during the course of the past year.

The 2024 Spirit of Special Olympics Award winners are:

• Athlete: Brianna Moore of Waterloo.
• Coach: Andy Hunnicutt of Hope.
• Volunteer: Becky Barker of Indianapolis.
• Family: The Foust-Ramer Family of Cass County.
• Law Enforcement: Officer Mike Woida of the Indianapolis Metro Police Department.

“The Spirit of Special Olympics Award is the highest honor we bestow to the individuals and families that exemplify the service and dedication it takes to bring athletic, academic, social, leadership and health opportunities to our 19,000 athletes across the state,” Special Olympics Indiana President and CEO Jeff Mohler said. “More than 10,000 volunteers – many of whom are athletes themselves – share their time, knowledge and passion with our athletes to fuel this mission from the grassroots level.”

Moore was born with cerebral palsy, but that has not stopped her from competing in bowling, track and field, basketball, swimming, flag football and cornhole. She also is a leader in the DeKalb County program, inspiring other athletes to reach their potential. Moore’s involvement in Special Olympics has led to a growth in confidence and commitment that now includes a job, community involvement and hundreds of friendships.

Hunnicutt coaches basketball and track and field while serving as a member of the Bartholmew-Brown-Jennings program’s leadership team. His encouragement and friendship are looked to as examples by athletes and fellow coaches alike.

During the past decade, Barker has brought her positive energy, empathy and ideas to the program in Washington Township. She works alongside athletes as a Unified partner and as a mentor for Athlete Leadership University, a twice-a-year opportunity at Butler University for athletes to learn advanced skills.

The Foust-Ramer family serves as coaches, Unified partners, mentors, volunteers and athletes within the Cass County program. Members of the family coach softball, bocce and bowling while also helping to drive fundraising.

Woida has volunteered with Special Olympics Indiana since 2009, serving as a key contributor to both the Eagle Creek Polar Plunge and the Law Enforcement Torch Run through downtown Indianapolis. He also works with the Police Officers Credit Union to secure sponsorships to benefit athletes.

Special Olympics Indiana presented these awards at the Embassy Suites Noblesville, home of the 2024 state conference. More than 300 coaches, coordinators, volunteers and athletes from across the state gathered for two days of learning, sharing ideas and renewing friendships.

Learn more about Special Olympics Indiana and its programs at SOIndiana.org.