The 2010 Special Olympics will have one of Jonathan Law’s very own students representing Connecticut and the school. 

Senior Shawn Reilly has qualified to compete in the Olympics in Lincoln, Nebraska next July. At the games, he will be playing golf.  

“I am very excited to go to Nebraska,” Reilly said.

Out of 50 students selected from Connecticut, only 20 are actually going to Nebraska and Reilly is one of the select few. 

Reilly is an active participant in the Special Olympics. In the three years that Reilly has been involved in the Special Olympics, he has done many sports. His favorites include skiing, golfing, and track. 

“Shawn in a really good athlete and is definitely a team player,” Unified Sports Coordinator Mrs. Daniels said.     

To get ready for the long trip to the games, Reilly has been practicing hard. 

“I usually practice with Nick Gallicano and Mike DiLeo,” Reilly said. 

Gallicano is a recent Law graduate, and DiLeo is a senior on the Jonathan Law golf team. 

“Golf is a sport that requires constant practice and Shawn exhibits this,” DiLeo said. 

Reilly will travel to Nebraska with his father, who has been helping him prepare. Along with practicing, there have been countless meetings that Reilly and his parents have attended for information about the games and travel information. 

The plans for Reilly right now include keep practicing hard and focusing on what he loves to do, which is play golf. 

“Shawn gets very into the game and I am glad to see him involved in a lot of other outside activities,” Daniels said. 

When Reilly was selected to play in the games, he had his own clubs, but he needed a new pair of golf shoes. Fortunately, a teacher at Law donated a pair of new shoes, which Reilly will use in Nebraska. 

Reilly is not only very active in the Special Olympics but is also very active in Unified Sports, Best Buddies, and helping out with the Jonathan Law football team. 

“I like doing track for Unified Sports,” Reilly said.

Reilly has also received recognition for participating in Unified Sports from the city of Milford this past summer. 

“Shawn is a great kid,” assistant principal Mr. Swan said. “He is going to do great and I personally am extermly proud of him.”