Special Olympics Youth of the Week: Bailey Cunningham and Kacey King

Elise Calanni
Sep 7, 2018 · 2 min read

The following post was written by Bailey Cunningham and Kacey King, a Special Olympics Unified pair from Special Olympics Arkansas. In July of 2018, Bailey and Kacey attended the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle, Washington to participate in the Youth Leadership Experience (YLE). Along with Unified pairs from across the country, Bailey and Kacey were chosen for the YLE because of their leadership skills and passion for inclusion. Congrats on being named the #SOYouthOfTheWeek!


Hey! We are Kacey and Bailey from Special Olympics Arkansas!

This past summer we had the opportunity to participate in the Youth Leadership Experience at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle, Washington. At the Youth Leadership Experience (YLE), we got to learn about inclusion with lots of other youth leaders like us from across the United States.

Bailey Cunningham and Kacey King at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games Opening Ceremony with the delegation from Arkansas

We learned so many new things throughout our week at the YLE and have been continuing to advocate for inclusion ever since. Kacey is advocating every day at her job at Abilities Unlimited and is working with her mom to start a mentorship program at her old high school, along with providing inclusion in sports.

I am working with our State Youth Activation Committee to provide them with resources to promote inclusion and working with our state’s Unified Champion Schools® to provide challenges to students to #ChooseToInclude and share their stories. Together we are working with our mentor Natalie and area directors to educate students and friends at our Unified events.

We are super excited to start the year!

Learn more about what Bailey, Kacey, and many youth pairs across the country accomplished during the Youth Leadership Experience by clicking HERE.

Bailey and Kacey volunteering at the Strider Bikes station for the Young Athletes festival

The Playbook

Using the power of sports as our driver, we are a global social movement dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Elise Calanni

Written by

Communications, Resources, and Content Specialist for Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools

The Playbook

Using the power of sports as our driver, we are a global social movement dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities.

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