Jessica Purdum of Powell, Wyoming, has coached Special Olympics athletes for the past nine years with experience coaching athletics and soccer. She will represent Special Olympics USA as a coach in athletics. Jessica attended the Special Olympics USA Games in 2018 and 2022 coaching athletics. As the director of Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools® for Special Olympics Wyoming, Jessica was first introduced to Special Olympics as a teacher through the Spread the Word campaign. In her teaching role, she served as her school’s Unified Club advisor and celebrated with her students in becoming the state’s first Unified Champion School to receive national banner recognition.
During her college years, Jessica ran cross county and track and field. Today, she is still on the run, chasing after her son and daughter. She is proud of Special Olympics athletes for stepping outside of their comfort zone, trying their hardest to meet a challenge.