by Tyler Sarff

I had the pleasure of interviewing Emily Garness of Special Olympics Minnesota who started a new role at the state office a while back. Emily hadn’t heard about Special Olympics until she was in junior high and she got involved in bowling as a volunteer. She met someone who was working the event that brought it to her attention.

Emily Garness

Emily is no stranger to working with people with disabilities. Before she got involved with Special Olympics, she worked in a group home and also participated in multiple Polar Plunge events. She has definitely fallen in love with Special Olympics. One question I asked her was “What do you enjoy most about Special Olympics?” Her response was “the people”. She mentioned she has met some of the best people between staff members, families of athletes and athletes themselves.

Some of Emily’s favorite competitions to watch and work at are track and field events and any Unified sports. She loves to see inclusion in action! She also enjoys seeing new friendships being made, which is one thing that Special Olympics has a way of doing. Lots of long lasting friendships are made amongst the athletes and Emily loves seeing smiles on the athletes faces at events.

Everyone who’s involved with Special Olympics Minnesota knows Emily because she loves Special Olympics and loves seeing athletes compete and do their best. She is truly an amazing person doing great work for Special Olympics and for the athletes.

About the author

Tyler Sarff has been involved with Special Olympics Minnesota since 2017. He was first introduced to the organization through Bethel University’s BUILD Program where he started the first collegiate Unified Club in the state. Tyler has played multiple sports and attended the 2022 USA Games in Orlando, Florida for bowling. He has also represented Special Olympics Minnesota on the MNUFC Unified team and the Unified BMX biking team at the 2019 X Games. Tyler is excited for Minnesota to host the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games and serves as an Athlete Advisory Council Member to the planning committee.