Jai Baumann and Alyssa Dubois have been inseparable for most of their lives. From road trips to sporting events to dancing together, the pair share a bond that has led to creating opportunities for athletes with special needs in their community.
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Baumann was recently named the 2024 Special Olympics Montana Youth Volunteer of the Year for her work with the Box Elder Special Olympics team, which she helped create six years ago.
"I met Alyssa 15 years ago when I was like three. Alyssa is, like, the most perfect human ever. She's so adorable. She's so happy. So nice. Very loving. She's a great aunt to my little brother. And. Yeah, she's just amazing," Baumann said.
Dubois has Down syndrome and is non-verbal, but her face lights up whenever she's with Baumann, clearly showing their deep connection.
The idea for starting the local Special Olympics team came from an unexpected source.
"About six years ago in science class, and my teacher told me about how her brother was, in Special Olympics, and I thought that was super cool. So I went home and told my mom about it and thought that we should get Alyssa involved," Baumann said.
Annie Baumann, Jai's mother, admits she initially hesitated due to her already busy schedule.
"I had four little kids at the time, so I was more focused on balancing a full time job and, and that parenting. So I never really occurred to me to take on more. And Jai was the one who was like, no, we will and we can," Annie said.
Though small with just two athletes—Dubois and Angel Larocca—the Box Elder Bears team has thrived under Baumann's leadership and coaching.
"I just help take them around everywhere. I take them, do their trips, I help Alyssa practice, go swim sometimes with them. Just just help out a lot," Baumann said.
Her dedication hasn't gone unnoticed, leading to her recent recognition as the state's top youth volunteer in Special Olympics.
"Jai is waiting at the finish line for them. She's the one getting them to the starting line and she comes to every single one of our events. She's our leader. Really, she's our leader," Annie said.
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