Dianne Jordan honored as Special Olympian of the year
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on November 28, 2012 1:46 PM
News-Argus/BOBBY WILLIAMS
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Dianne Jordan of Goldsboro was recently named Special Olympics North Carolina 2012 Athlete of the Year during a presentation in High Point. The 61-year-old has been involved with Special Olympics Wayne County for the past four years, garnering a number of medals and awards in basketball, boccie, bowling and, most recently, golf.
The past four years have brought Dianne Jordan new friends, new experiences and a newfound confidence, as well as medals and awards to show for her efforts.
Little did she know in 2008, at age 57, that becoming part of Special Olympics Wayne County would contribute so much to her life.
She was recently named 2012 Special Olympics Athlete of the Year.
"You all may think I'm nobody but I am somebody. Thank you, Special Olympics," she said after her name was announced.
The 61-year-old has accomplished much in a short time, earning gold and silver medals in basketball, boccie and bowling, and went on to receive a gold medal in the 2010 Special Olympics USA Games in Nebraska.
"Dianne is a perfect example of all that is Special Olympics," said Rich Walderman, local coordinator for Special Olympics Wayne County. "Her dedication and hard work both on and off the field of play make her very worthy of this award."
She also received high praise from Wynter Sexton, who served as her bowling coach at the national games.
"Her positive attitude and spunkiness inspired everyone in our delegation," Ms. Sexton said. "During our competitions, Dianne always wished the other athletes competing against her 'good luck' or 'have fun.' Dianne is a natural at showing good sportsmanship."
Special Olympics has enriched not only Ms. Jordan's life, but has become important to the entire family, said her sister, Linda Jordan.
"Her confidence in sports, I believe, has carried over into the rest of her life," she said. "One after another, Dianne takes on new challenges and turns them into new accomplishments.
"She won the division -- North Carolina has six divisions -- in 2011. And she has gone on now, her newest sport is golf. At the same event where she was named athlete of the year in High Point, she had won the silver in golf skills."
Dianne also works at Carlie C's in Goldsboro.