East Coweta High School sophomore Montana Bush has been named Georgia Special Olympics Female Athlete of the Year.
Special Olympics CEO Georgia Milton-Sheets presented the award to Bush in front of thousands of athletes, volunteers, coaches and parents during the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Special Olympics Georgia Winter Games at the Cobb Civic Center in Marietta.
"This is a highly sought after award with nominations made from local communities from all over the state," Coweta County Special Olympics Coordinator Kelly Abercrombie said. "It was a wonderful night."
Abercrombie, who nominated Bush for the award, said the 16-year-old "loves everything about Special Olympics."
"She loves training for her sports, socializing with other athletes and volunteers, traveling to the events and spending weekends with her team competing, dancing and cheering," Abercrombie said.
Bush has been active in Special Olympics since 2001, naming the local program her charity of choice in the East Coweta High School Indian Princess Pageant in 2011. She raised $200 for CCSO and was the pageant's second runner-up. To raise community awareness about Special Olympics, Bush participated in a recent fundraiser at Chick-fil-A, where she sang for customers and performed a routine with her cheer team.
"If I had to say one thing about Tana, it would be that she is the person who personifies what Special Olympics is all about," Abercrombie said. "She epitomizes the spirit of a true winner by her willingness to always give her best effort and help others while displaying outstanding courage and sportsmanship."
As an athlete, Bush has trained for and competed in track and field, bocce, basketball skills, softball skills, cycling, bowling, cheerleading, aquatics and gymnastics. According to Abercrombie, Bush could not ride a bike when she first began practicing for cycling events, but she "overcame her fears" to become a top athlete in that event.
"She works hard at all the practices," Abercrombie added, noting that Bush placed in cycling events at the 2010 and 2011 Georgia Fall Games.
Bush was a member of the Southern Super Stars championship cheer team and won the top spot in the 2011 Area 06 Winter Games in the girls senior division bowling championships, as well as placing in aquatic events at the 2010 and 2011 Georgia Summer Games. Her outstanding work ethic and sportsmanship led organizers to select Bush to lead the Olympic Oath for the more than 280 athletes competing in the 2011 CCSO Spring Games as well.
"She is a favorite among her teachers and coaches," Abercrombie said of Bush. "She is a beautiful girl with a wonderful smile who has overcome much in her short life."
