KAREN SHERIDAN

It is a common theme among many of the world's more popular and successful athletes -- dependable, enthusiastic, unselfish, hard working. These traits have made Karen Sheridan a great athleteÉ and an even greater teammate. Throughout the 1990s, Sheridan enjoyed tremendous success through Special Olympics. In her hometown of Kalamazoo, as well as the state level, Sheridan won enough medals -- bronze, silver and gold -- to decorate any trophy case. She demonstrated excellence in a variety of sports, including soccer, softball, swimming and skiing. Despite these accomplishments, Sheridan has gained even greater recognition as an enthusiastic leader. While possessing a resilient competitive nature, she is more popularly known for the encouragement and support she gives to her teammates. It is the rare breed of athlete who can bring out the very best in others – whether it's on the job or on the playing field, Sheridan leads with an admirable work ethic and a willingness to help others.