By Nanette Light
For a Norman High School senior, Quincy Taylor touts a lengthy resume with Special Olympics Oklahoma.
For the last 10 years, Taylor has cheered for her sister, who competes in Special Olympics swim meets, as her sister lapped the pool, volunteered for the organization for five years and spurred the development of a Special Olympics support club at Norman North.
Taylor, along with Ashley Weaver of Poteau High School, were honored as the 2010 Stacie Shipman Youth Volunteers Friday during a program at the Special Olympics Oklahoma Winter Games Victory Night at the Moore Community Center.
"[Taylor] treats every Special Olympics athlete as if they were the greatest athlete she has ever encountered," said Sherwood Taylor, Quincy's father, in a press release.
Taylor is a Special Olympics Unified Partner for bowling and volleyball competitions, a score keeper for basketball and a referee for volleyball competitions.
Weaver has been a Special Olympics Oklahoma volunteer for four years. She also is a unified partner and is the High School Project UNIFY president. Eventually, Weaver wants to be a certified coach and assist with fundraising for Special Olympics.
Since 1999, Special Olympics Oklahoma has presented the award to honor the memory of Stacie Shipman, a youth volunteer.
But this year, the receiving line called for a duo, said Donna and Larry Shipman, Stacie's parents, in a news release.
"These students exhibit a selfless attitude, empathy towards others and a genuine enjoyment of being around Special Olympics athletes," the parents said.
