Earlier this month, 550 athletes from across North Dakota journeyed to Fargo to compete in the 2016 Special Olympics North Dakota State Summer Games. These athletes faced off in track & field, aquatics, bocce, powerlifting, and unified volleyball.

Along with the athletes came their volunteer coaches, whose numbers included HEI's Nic Cullen. Nic helped organize and mentor a delegation from Bismarck that included 92 athletes who ranged in age from 12 to 83.

Nic said that, while the Special Olympics are a competition, that his athletes "are just as excited getting a first place medal as they are receiving an eighth place ribbon." He said the ear-to-ear grins bring on a great feeling!