Meet the Team

Glen Marks, Coach (Arlington Heights, Illinois)

Coach Glen has owned Elk Grove Gymnastics School for 26 years.  Some of his many accomplishments include being the 2000 Jr. Pan American Games Coach; the 2006 Special Olympics Team Illinois National Coach; the 2007 Special Olympics World Team USA coach in China; and being the 2009 winner of the 1st Tim Rand National Gymnastics Award.

 

In addition to gymnastics, Coach Glen enjoys spending time with his two dogs, Tom and Jerry (Springer Spaniels), and he also has a cat named Ben.  Coach Glen also loves to travel and has been to 6 Olympic games and 2 World Gymnastic Championships.  In addition, he has been a clinician at many conferences and Gymnastics Congress.  He also choreographed the men's floor and rings routine for Special Olympics that will be introduced in Greece this summer at the World Games.

Meet the Team

Mandy Brookshire 

Melissa, Texas (Women's Level 2)

From Mandy: 

My name is Amanda "Mandy" Brookshire and I am 35 years old (I will turn 36 in Greece on June 27th). I live at home in Melissa, Texas with my mom and dad and I have two married sisters who live close by in Frisco, Texas. I work at Centennial Hospital in Frisco, Texas, in dining services. The sports that I participate in are: Gymnastics, Swimming, Bowling and Basketball. I love to travel. I got to go to Nationals in Ames, Iowa with Team Texas and to the 2007 World Games in Shanghai, China with Team USA. My family usually goes to the beach each summer and I got to visit Chicago when my youngest sister went to college there. I am excited to go to training camp in California and World Games in Greece. Other than special olympics I love babysitting my 3 nephews and niece. They are fun. I enjoy going to movies. Momma Mia is one of my favorites! I am looking forward to meeting everyone and seeing old friends.

Mandy's mother and father will be attending World Games in Greece.

Meet the Team

Rory E. Riley (Assistant Coach)

Washington, DC

Rory is originally from Auburn, MA, and currently resides in Washington, DC.  She was a gymnast for many years, which was how she first became involved with Special Olympics gymnastics.  Despite a very busy schedule, which currently includes working as an attorney at the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, she has remained involved with Special Olympics gymnastics for the past 14 years.   Rory's favorite thing about Special Olympics is how much fun she has working with the athletes and staying involved with gymnastics.

Interesting fact:  Rory has done a handstand in 32 different states and in 16 different countries.  She has yet to do a handstand in Greece, and therefore is very much looking forward to checking that off her list at World Games!

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Meet the Team

Amber Hellwig (Sport Manager)
Kansas

From our Sport Manager: 

 

My name is Amber Hellwig and I am the Sport Manager for Team USA Gymnastics.  I have worked for Special Olympics Kansas for the past 11 years and have loved every minute of it.  Every day with Special Olympics is a new adventure full of challenges.  The athletes and program bring a smile to my face and make me so thankful to work for such an inspiring organization.

I am 35 years old and my husband Kelby and I have been married for 9 years.  We have 2 beautiful boys, Kody and Grayson.  Kody is 6 years old and is in first grade.  He loves to play soccer, basketball & baseball.  Our youngest, Grayson, is 15 months old and he loves to run around, chase the dogs and cats, and play with his toys.  In our free time as a family we love to hike, ride bikes, play games, swim and be simply be outdoors!

Quote to live by:  “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”  - Helen Keller

Meet the Team

Shaila Brousseau (Rhythmic, Level 2) 

Beaumont, California

Shailah is 16 years old.  She is one of five adopted special needs children and one of a family of eight children.   She lives in Beaumont, California with her Mom, 3 brothers, and one sister.  Her older brother and 2 sisters live on their own.

Shailah is a junior in high school.  Her favorite subject is reading.  She spends most of her time listening to Taylor Swift and dancing.  She has been in Special Olympics for eight years.  She has been competing in Gymnastics, swimming, basketball and bowling.

Shailah's 4 special needs siblings, Cameron, Alex, Stephen, and Hope will also be going to World Games.  Her older sister Heather, her father and her mother are will all be attending.   She also has family in Ireland that are also planning on going.   Her aunt, Nana and Papa will also possibly attend.