Global Messengers
Our Global Messenger program trains Special Olympics athletes in public speaking and presentation skills, empowering them to share, in their own words, what makes Special Olympics so impactful. Athletes who join the speakers bureau use their voices to promote inclusion and spread our mission.
Global Messengers inspire communities by sharing powerful stories of hope and acceptance through speeches at schools, corporate events, and community gatherings. They encourage participation as athletes, sponsors, or volunteers and play key roles in fundraisers and Opening Ceremonies across the Commonwealth.
Global Messengers Class of 2026
Every two years since 2005, we have recruited and trained a new class of Global Messengers. The 2026 Class of Global Messengers has 12 participants and 12 mentors. To get to know the current class of Global Messengers click on their names to read their bios.
Hannah Ellenbecker
Hometown: Chesapeake
Sports: Speed Skating, Basketball, Soccer, Get So Fit & Bowling
Sports: Speed Skating, Basketball, Soccer, Get So Fit & Bowling
Jasmine Hawkins
Hometown: Chesapeake
Sports: Soccer, Cheering, Basketball, Bowling & Softball
Sports: Soccer, Cheering, Basketball, Bowling & Softball
Nathon Horton
Hometown: Powhatan
Sports: Golf, Volleyball, Bowling & Basketball
Sports: Golf, Volleyball, Bowling & Basketball
Franklin Lawson
Hometown: Christiansburg
Sports: Swimming, Softball, Bowling, Bocce, Basketball, Walking Club, Track and Field, Volleyball, Skiing, Pickleball, Running Club & Flag Football
Sports: Swimming, Softball, Bowling, Bocce, Basketball, Walking Club, Track and Field, Volleyball, Skiing, Pickleball, Running Club & Flag Football
Isaac Lucky
Hometown: Christiansburg
Sports: Basketball, Volleyball, Softball, Pickleball, Flag Football & Track
Sports: Basketball, Volleyball, Softball, Pickleball, Flag Football & Track
Erik Nelson
Hometown: Portsmouth
Sports: Basketball, Flag Football, Tennis, Softball, Track and Field, Soccer & Bowling
Sports: Basketball, Flag Football, Tennis, Softball, Track and Field, Soccer & Bowling
Brittany Nussberger
Hometown: Stafford
Sports: Golf, Track and Field & Soccer
Sports: Golf, Track and Field & Soccer
Mark Nussberger
Hometown: Christiansburg
Sports: Golf, Track and Field & Soccer
Sports: Golf, Track and Field & Soccer
Garvin Rodrigue
Hometown: Lorton
Sports: Soccer, Basketball & Track
Sports: Soccer, Basketball & Track
Andrew Starr
Hometown: Waterford
Sports: Swimming, Bocce, Basketball, Volleyball, Bowling, Flag Football, Golf & Pickleball
Sports: Swimming, Bocce, Basketball, Volleyball, Bowling, Flag Football, Golf & Pickleball
Katie Wallace
Hometown: Halifax
Sports: Bocce, Bowling and Track & Field
Sports: Bocce, Bowling and Track & Field
Evan Yurgaitis
Hometown: Bealeton
Sports: Track and Field, Bocce, Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, Bowling, Pickleball & Swimming
Sports: Track and Field, Bocce, Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, Bowling, Pickleball & Swimming
Request a Global Messenger
Complete our request form to invite a Special Olympics Virginia Global Messenger to speak to your school, group, church, business or at an event.
Please reach out to Dave Pawlowski at dpawlowski@specialolympicsva.orgwith questions.
Please reach out to Dave Pawlowski at dpawlowski@specialolympicsva.orgwith questions.
Are you a Current Global Messenger?
Please use this form to fill in all information on this form as soon as you can after an event. Any staff or Area volunteers who utilize Global Messengers should communicate with the Messenger/ Mentor team and assure that either the Messenger/Mentor Team or the staff/volunteer reports the activity.
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