The character traits you learn in sports carry over to other parts of life, athletes heard during the Special Olympics of Kosciusko County awards banquet Wednesday. The most important one is to never say you can’t do something, Warsaw attorney David Kolbe told the athletes. “How many of you have had the feeling you can’t do this anymore?” he asked. “Just remember, yeah you can.” He also remarked that perseverance is a greater source of pride than awards or prowess. “Athletics teaches us to keep going whether we win or lose.” Every athlete received a certificate of recognition during the pizza dinner, whether they participated in bowling, bocce ball, wheelchair events or any of the other sports. Everyone also had a lei placed around their neck when they arrived at the Hawaiian-themed event. It was the first time they used a theme for the banquet, Coordinator Becky Walls noted. This is the program’s 40th in the county. Jean Bibler, an 85-year-old county committee member who was named Volunteer of the Year Wednesday, has been with the program for 18 of those years. Her daughter, Sandy Bibler, has been with the program for even longer, starting in 1987. Kirk Conrad was named Athlete of the Year. The Noble County resident participates in track and field, basketball, football, bowling and corn toss. Outreach coordinator John Bonitati was named Coach of the Year, and the DeGaetano family – Steve and Kim, with daughter Hannah and athlete son Anthony – was named Family of the Year.
