MONTGOMERY – Shelby County High School Special Education teacher and Shelby County Special Olympics track coach Marisol Lilly was recently recognized for her exceptional work with the special needs community. Lilly was named the Special Olympics Alabama’s Outstanding Coach/Volunteer in November at the organization’s annual awards luncheon in Montgomery.

Lilly was originally nominated Shelby County Special Olympics for her work with local students and adults. According to Shelby County Special Olympics Director Gay Litton, Lilly encourages special needs students who are graduating to stay involved with the Special Olympics program

“She has gotten a lot of people involved and supporting the group, as well as our individual athletes,” Litton said. “As her students exit high school, she tries to keep them in the Special Olympics so they can stay involved socially and keep up with their fitness.”

In the past, Litton said Lilly coordinated efforts to give one athlete the chance to compete at the U.S.A. Special Olympics Games in New Jersey.  Because of Lilly, another athlete will be competing in the July 2018 games in Seattle.

As a volunteer and a teacher, Litton said Lilly regularly goes above and beyond what is expected of her.

“She goes out of her way to be involved in order to be certain that her students are equipped for adulthood– socially, academically and vocationally,” Litton said. “She is an all-around positive influence for these young people and their families.”