• When and how did you get involved with Special Olympics?
  • Grayce Hilton has been a Special Olympics BC athlete for four years, after her mother found the movement and thought it would be a great space for her two kids.
  • Grayce says that being part of Special Olympics makes her feel “noticed, inspiring, and encouraging to other athletes that they are able to get up and do things too. It doesn’t matter what disability you have; you can still get involved and be part of it.”

• What sports do you participate in?
  • Grayce participates in swimming, bocce, and softball.
  • She is a keen competitor who puts her heart into her sports. She is also very encouraging and supportive of fellow athletes.

• What is your favourite Special Olympics experience to date?
  • Grayce enjoys travelling for Special Olympics events, showing her abilities in competitions, and meeting other individuals who have disabilities.
  • Grayce is a supportive athlete who says, “I encourage other individuals who have disabilities and I say it doesn’t matter what your disabilities are, go for it.”

• What competitions have you been part of recently and/or upcoming?
  • Grayce proudly competed in swimming in the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games, where she earned five medals!
  • She also raced in swimming in the 2026 BC Summer Games in Kelowna, competing in the Special Olympics events, where she captured four medals!
  • “Overall, I’m proud of being able to represent the Region that I live in and come home with four medals from BC Games, and from [SOBC Games in] Prince George I came home with 5. They were heavy!” Grayce says, laughing. “I feel very accomplished. That really shows that there are opportunities for people of different ages with disabilities, they can go far if they put their heart to it.”

• What would you say about Special Olympics to encourage someone to get involved?
  • “I would definitely say set your mind to what you want to do, commit and like my mom says, all that matters is you go and try your best, and it doesn’t matter if you come home with a medal or not, you tried. Give it your all!” Grayce says.

• A bit more about Grayce
  • Grayce enjoys her work in early childhood education at Westview Elementary.
  • Grayce brings her positive attitude throughout her sports and community! She is known for being very supportive and encouraging. Grayce shares that she also has a genetic condition called Sotos syndrome, which is a learning disorder that affects speech and motor development.
  • “It doesn’t matter what disability you have, just go for it! Get out there and try, because you never know what lies ahead!” Grayce says.

Special Olympics BC is dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and building inclusion through the power and joy of sport.

In 55 communities around the province, including 10 right here on Vancouver Island, Special Olympics provides year-round sport, youth, and health programs and empowering competitions to more than 3,400 athletes with intellectual disabilities of all ages and a wide range of ability levels.

Athletes access Special Olympics BC’s life-changing programs and competitions at low or no cost, thanks to the dedicated efforts of our 2,200 coaching and organizing volunteers, and the generous support of our sponsors and donors.

They are always in need of volunteers! To get involved, click HERE

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• When and how did you get involved with Special Olympics?
  • Ashley has been a dedicated Special Olympics athlete for 17 years. When she moved to B.C. from Winnipeg, she got involved in Special Olympics swimming, and her mother took on the important volunteer role of Local Coordinator.
  • “Now I participate in most of the summer and winter sports all of the time,” Ashley says. “I am so happy and love being so involved with Special Olympics. I am busy all of the time. I look forward to going, trying my best, playing golf, and being with all of the other athletes.”

• What sports do you participate in?
  • Ashley competes in golf, track and field, soccer, curling, softball, basketball, and bocce. She’s also a committed participant in the Club Fit fitness training program.
  • She is known as a determined competitor who doesn’t quit!

• What is your favourite Special Olympics experience to date? / What are some of your biggest achievements in Special Olympics so far?
  • Ashley says her favourite Special Olympics experience to date is winning a gold medal competing in golf at the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games in Prince George. “It made me so happy. I had been to Provincial Winter Games twice before for curling, but I was so excited to go to the Provincial Summer Games for golf. This is the best I have done so far. Everyone is so excited for me.”

• What competitions have you been part of recently and/or upcoming?
  • Through her success in the 2025 SOBC Games, Ashley earned the opportunity to advance to the National Games level and represent our province with pride in the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games, set to be held August 11 to 15 in Medicine Hat, Alberta.
  • “I just want to play my best and have a wonderful time with all of the other athletes. I will learn and see what everyone else is doing,” Ashley says. “Yes, a win would be great, but I do know that there are so many great athletes out there.”
  • The 2026 SOC Games will be Ashley’s first National Games!
  • Learn more about Ashley and Special Olympics Team BC 2026: https://www.specialolympics.bc.ca/so-team-bc-2026-profiles/ashley-thompson/

• What would you say about Special Olympics to encourage someone to get involved?
  • Ashley and her family always talk about Special Olympics and always ask their friends and their families to join in on the sports.

• A bit more about Ashley
  • “I love sports and like to do all that I can. … I am very smart but also very quiet, so people don’t know how smart I am.”
  • Ashley is well known as a quiet, steady presence who gives her time and support to help all the fundraising and awareness events that SOBC – Oceanside runs. She also volunteers in other community roles, and participates in a wide range of local programs and activities.
  • The Special Olympics BC – Oceanside golf program has been very successful and very supportive of Ashley and her fellow athletes, benefitting from amazing support from the community.
    • In 2024, SOBC – Oceanside hosted the Golf Regional Qualifier where Ashley earned the opportunity to advance to Provincial Games in Prince George. She returned in 2025 with a GOLD medal, and is now preparing to go to Medicine Hat this August for the National Summer Games.

Special Olympics BC is dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and building inclusion through the power and joy of sport.

In 55 communities around the province, including 10 right here on Vancouver Island, Special Olympics provides year-round sport, youth, and health programs and empowering competitions to more than 3,400 athletes with intellectual disabilities of all ages and a wide range of ability levels.

Athletes access Special Olympics BC’s life-changing programs and competitions at low or no cost, thanks to the dedicated efforts of our 2,200 coaching and organizing volunteers, and the generous support of our sponsors and donors.

They are always in need of volunteers! To get involved, click HERE

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• When and how did you get involved with Special Olympics?
  • Terry has been a dedicated Special Olympics athlete for 21 years. He first got involved at the suggestion of family and friends, after moving to Comox Valley from Saskatoon.

• What sports do you participate in?
  • Over the years, Terry has participated in a range of sports, including floor hockey and track and field. Today, he participates in swimming and 5-pin bowling.
  • “I like swimming because it gets your whole body moving – your legs & your arms” he says.

• What is your favourite Special Olympics experience to date? / What are some of your biggest achievements in Special Olympics so far?
  • Terry says his favourite Special Olympics experience to date was going to Prince George to compete in swimming in the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games. In this exciting provincial competition, Terry showed his skills alongside nearly 900 athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities who participated in 10 different sports.
  • Terry says he especially enjoyed the 2025 SOBC Games Opening Ceremony and the great remarks and performance by members of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation.
  • In the 2025 SOBC Games, Terry raced his way to two gold medals, one silver, one bronze, and a fifth-place result in his divisions in multiple different strokes and distances.

• What competitions have you been part of recently and/or upcoming?
  • Through his achievements in the 2025 SOBC Games, Terry earned a spot on Special Olympics Team BC to represent our province with pride in the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games, set to be held August 11 to 15 in Medicine Hat, Alberta.
  • Terry swam in a recent Special Olympics meet in Powell River and said he had fun, but he is still working hard to peak at National Games. “I have a bit more training to do because I have to work on my butterfly and my backstroke,” he says.
  • Learn more about Terry and Special Olympics Team BC 2026: British Columbia | Terry Daniels

• What would you say about Special Olympics to encourage someone to get involved?
  • “I would say that if someone is brand new, if you want to try it, come and try it. I think it will help people in the long run to get out of the house more and make new friends,” Terry says.

• A bit more about Terry
  • “For myself, I want to let people know me better. Lots of older athletes know me really well, especially in Victoria and Campbell River area, in Special Olympics. I want to meet some of the newer athletes,” Terry says.
  • “Special Olympics means everything to me.”

Special Olympics BC is dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and building inclusion through the power and joy of sport.

In 55 communities around the province, including 10 right here on Vancouver Island, Special Olympics provides year-round sport, youth, and health programs and empowering competitions to more than 3,400 athletes with intellectual disabilities of all ages and a wide range of ability levels.

Athletes access Special Olympics BC’s life-changing programs and competitions at low or no cost, thanks to the dedicated efforts of our 2,200 coaching and organizing volunteers, and the generous support of our sponsors and donors.

They are always in need of volunteers! To get involved, click HERE

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Special Olympics BC – Campbell River

• When and how did you get involved with Special Olympics?
  • When Ashley moved to Campbell River as a teenager, she decided to give Special Olympics swimming a try. “Once I got comfortable putting my face in the water, I took right off!” she says.
  • Over more than 20 years as a dedicated Special Olympics athlete, Ashley has participated in a wide range of sports, and earned the opportunity to compete in three different Special Olympics Canada Games, where she medalled in snowshoeing and track and field.

• What sports do you participate in?
  • Ashley currently participates in track and field, softball, bowling, basketball, floorball, swimming, and snowshoeing in the winter.

• What is your favourite Special Olympics experience to date? / What are some of your biggest achievements in Special Olympics so far?
  • Ashley says her favourite Special Olympics experience to date “would have to be the National Games in 2020. My 30th birthday happened to fall during the Games and they actually celebrated it with me! I then proceeded to shatter all of my old times!”
  • Ashley is a veteran athlete who is dedicated to demonstrating integrity and achieving personal bests.

• What competitions have you been part of recently and/or upcoming?
  • Last summer, Ashley competed in track and field in the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games. She overcame health challenges to compete with pride and determination in Prince George, and earned three gold medals and a fifth-place personal-best time.
  • Her achievements earned the opportunity to compete in her fourth National Games, as she is currently a member of the Special Olympics Team BC Training Squad working toward competing in the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Medicine Hat.
  • “Being part of Special Olympics Team BC means triumph, victory, and standing tall despite adversity,” Ashley says.
  • Her goal for the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games: “Can I see if I can get myself another best time or best throw? That would be nice!”

• What would you say about Special Olympics to encourage someone to get involved?
  • “Just try one sport, and try several actually until you find your niche,” Ashley says. “The best part about Special Olympics is you’re accepted for who you are.”

• A bit more about Ashley
  • Ashley has been a valued Thrifty Foods employee for almost eight years.
  • She volunteers on the Special Olympics BC – Campbell River organizing committee to help make local programs and events possible.
  • Outside of Special Olympics, Ashley enjoys reading, exercise, games, and “being bossed around by my two cats!”

Special Olympics BC is dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and building inclusion through the power and joy of sport.

In 55 communities around the province, including 10 right here on Vancouver Island, Special Olympics provides year-round sport, youth, and health programs and empowering competitions to more than 3,400 athletes with intellectual disabilities of all ages and a wide range of ability levels.

Athletes access Special Olympics BC’s life-changing programs and competitions at low or no cost, thanks to the dedicated efforts of our 2,200 coaching and organizing volunteers, and the generous support of our sponsors and donors.

They are always in need of volunteers! To get involved, click HERE

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Special Olympics BC – Nanaimo

• When and how did you get involved with Special Olympics?
  • Special Olympics has played an instrumental part in Ron Greenhorn’s life for over 30 years. The Nanaimo athlete has competed in multiple sports over the years, enjoying all the memorable friendships, competitions, and experiences.

• What sports do you participate in?
  • Ron currently participates in track and field, alpine skiing, Club Fit, and rhythmic gymnastics. He has participated in many additional sports over the years.

• What is your favourite Special Olympics experience to date? / What are some of your biggest achievements in Special Olympics so far?
  • Earning the opportunity to compete in the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy, is Ron’s favourite Special Olympics experience to date, and a significant achievement. In the alpine skiing events, Ron won a bronze medal and finished fourth and seventh in this significant global competition. This was the first time Ron made it to the Special Olympics World Games in 30+ years as a Special Olympics athlete!
  • Ron values Special Olympics because he likes his sports, meeting new friends, and seeing old friends.

• What competitions have you been part of recently and/or upcoming?
  • Last summer, Ron competed in track and field in the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games, and earned a spot on the Special Olympics Team BC 2026 Training Squad, our provincial team working toward competing with pride in the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Medicine Hat. Ron says competing in track and field is a “good challenge,” and his goal for these next National Games is “trying my best!” This will be Ron’s third time competing in National Games.
  • This winter, Ron competed in alpine skiing in the 2026 Special Olympics BC Regional Qualifiers. In B.C., Regional Qualifiers are the grassroots start of the Special Olympics Games cycle. Athletes compete to earn the opportunity to move forward to Special Olympics BC Provincial Games. “I enjoy the speed while skiing,” Ron says.
  • For this dedicated athlete, competing in Special Olympics Games “means a lot.”

• What would you say about Special Olympics to encourage someone to get involved?
  • “Pretty much everything is amazing,” Ron says. “Try it – it’s lots of fun!”

• A bit more about Ron
  • Ron won the Special Olympics BC provincial Spirit of Sport Award in 2011, recognizing his exemplary sportsmanship and contributions to his community and to Special Olympics. Read more
  • Ron is an experienced DJ! He has shared his talents with multiple different Special Olympics events and community gatherings.
  • Ron describes himself as knowledgeable, nice, and someone who enjoys travelling.

Special Olympics BC is dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and building inclusion through the power and joy of sport.

In 55 communities around the province, including 10 right here on Vancouver Island, Special Olympics provides year-round sport, youth, and health programs and empowering competitions to more than 3,400 athletes with intellectual disabilities of all ages and a wide range of ability levels.

Athletes access Special Olympics BC’s life-changing programs and competitions at low or no cost, thanks to the dedicated efforts of our 2,200 coaching and organizing volunteers, and the generous support of our sponsors and donors.

They are always in need of volunteers! To get involved, click HERE

]]> https://www.973theeagle.com/2026/04/17/special-olympics-bc-spotlight-ron-greenhorn/feed/ 0 https://www.973theeagle.com/2026/03/06/retro-vault-hot-track/ https://www.973theeagle.com/2026/03/06/retro-vault-hot-track/#respond Sat, 07 Mar 2026 00:15:20 +0000 Connor Hutchinson 2026-03-07T00:15:20+00:00 https://d515.cms.socastsrm.com/?p=21295 Every Weekday to Kick Off 5pm!

Join Eagle Afternoons for a deep dive into a classic song – learn something new about a tune that’s probably been in your rotation for years!

We’ll feature a new song every weekday afternoon and take a look at some info that might put it into a whole new light – don’t miss out!

Any suggestions in dive-able hot tracks? Text them over to the Eagle textline at 1-866-339-0973

Get the stories behind the songs, and some of the lesser-known names behind some of the best-loved hits!

From a forgotten favourite to an epic earworm, sing long with something great!

Weekday mornings at 8:08am

Any suggestions you want to dive into? Text them to the Eagle Textline at 1-866-339-0973

We had the good fortune to chat with the amazing Duncan Meiklejohn (“Maestro Fresh Meiklejohn”) who plays Git/Keys in the band…

Get your tickets HERE!

And… a little ‘bonus’ audio about Duncan and his incredible JINGLE career!  You may not know the name, but you KNOW the voice!  Thanks, Duncan!

How it’s going…

and…

Started out so promising, now such a disappointment.  I feel like my parents, lol. 

Sorry, Bob!  We’ll try to do better with the next crop.  What should we ‘plant’…?

bob’n’bill