Award Winner Profile

Shawn-Brown-Basketball

Shawn Brown 2016 Special Olympian

Award: Special Olympian

Award Year: 2016

Organization: Silver Sands School

Winner Sport: Basketball

Home Town: Fort Walton Beach, FL

Shawn Brown is a 22 year old student at Sliver Sands School in Fort Walton Beach.  He is an active member of the Key Club and was elected President this year.  He is a great leader and motivator amongst other students and athletes. He takes charge and has a never say die attitude. His intensity in everything he does shows through his performances.  He even encourages the teachers at school to keep going and not get discouraged.   Shawn recently was accepted into “The Art Academy for Autism for Adults” in Pensacola.

Shawn began competing in Special Olympics 6 years ago.  Since then, he has participated in and earned various medals in Aquatics, Basketball, Bocce, Bowling, Track and Field, and most recently Powerlifting. This year he has joined the inaugural powerlifting team in Okaloosa County and took Silver in his first attempt at state powerlifting at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports in the combo bench press and deadlift event. Throughout the training season he has motivated the team and led them in stretches every practice. Shawn also volunteers at various Special Olympic fundraisers.

Shawn is also a member of the Beach Elite Royal Sparklers and the ACE Cheer Red Spirits.  In his spare time Shawn enjoys watching movies (especially those about weather and cars), drawing, and spending time with friends and his family.