This year for National Coaches Day we are recognizing three outstanding Special Olympics Massachusetts coaches.

The experience of being a coach taught me how to pass along my experience to others, see the development of one or more athletes, and giving them something to learn about when playing that sport.

Abbie Kaiser grew up in Portland, Oregon, and now lives in Boston, Massachusetts. At one time running was just a hobby, but now she trains more seriously and does other things in her free time.

Winning a gold medal at USA Games while representing your state and city is cool. But being recognized in your city with an official proclamation comes in at a close second.

Anna Whitted has been a Game Changer for the past two years, volunteering at numerous tournaments and fundraising events and being a true ambassador for the Special Olympics movement.

Miye Jacques has been volunteering with Special Olympics Massachusetts since 2014. She's volunteered as an event volunteer at Winter Games and Summer Games and has volunteered with local teams as an assistant swimming coach.

My family loves to get involved. I cannot remember a month without some sort of volunteer event or fundraiser. My mother calls it ‘Irish Charity’, and says that it is simply in our blood to do anything we can for those around us.

Kate Dyer has been involved with Special Olympics Massachusetts since 1997, first as a coach and Unified Partner, and now as a parent to both a Unified Partner and an athlete.

Christian Santiago is a volunteer photographer who travels throughout the state to take pictures at SOMA events. Christian donates his time, expertise, and equipment to capture the many special moments of SOMA.