Special Olympics Indiana Area 5 – which includes eight counties – held its kick-off meeting Sept. 16 in Logansport to review upcoming events and choose the area athlete, coach, volunteer and family of the year. Kosciusko County nominations were Kirk Conrad – athlete, John Bonitati – coach, Jean Bibler – volunteer, and the DeGaetano family. Area 5 winners were Kirk Conrad – athlete, John Bonitati – coach, Barry Schwenk, Cass County – volunteer, and the McKinney-Baugher family, Howard County. Winners advance to the Spirit of the Olympics meeting and awards ceremony in Indianapolis Jan. 24. Conrad participates in bowling, basketball, track and field, corn toss and flag football. He resides in Noble County but participates in the Kosciusko County Special Olympics program. Kosciusko County coordinator for Special Olympics Becky Walls said Conrad is friendly, caring and a hardworking athlete with behavior that serves as an example for other athletes to follow. Bonitati was involved with skills basketball, bocce and golf.
