When Poppe-Simone Sakr joined Special Olympics Victoria 18 months ago, she didn’t realise how much she could achieve in such a short amount of time.
She was one of 120 Australian athletes –and the youngest on the team – competing in the Special Olympics Trans-Tasman tournament last year. She competed in the 50m freestyle, breasktstroke, backstroke and relay events, winning gold in breaststroke and relay.
And last month, the Melton West teen received the top gong at Melton council’s youth awards night for “continually showing determination in pursuit of her goals, including competing in the Special Olympics”.
Poppe-Simone said she was “really surprised” at receiving the Youth Advisory Council Honours award. “It makes me very proud, and I feel so honoured,” she said. Melton mayor Sophie Ramsey congratulated the 34 award winners and 28 grant recipients.
She said they were “inspiring examples” of the great work young people in the municipality are doing.
“Council is committed to working to enhance leadership in our local community and these awards and grants are vital to our investment in the future,” Cr Ramsey said.
“Young people make up a large proportion of our community and the … awards and grants are a great way to encourage them.”
