Team CT USA Games 2026 - Youth Leadership

Team CT is proud to introduce our Youth Leadership team - a dynamic group of young leaders ready to represent Connecticut at the national level. These four individuals bring energy, vision, and a commitment to inclusion that reflect the core values of Special Olympics.

• Andrea DeBernardo (Athlete): Andrea knows firsthand the power of perseverance and competition. As an athlete leader, she brings passion and authenticity to the team’s mission of lifting every voice and every athlete. She also knows what this stage is all about, having competed in the 2022 USA Games Orlando in gymnastics!
• Lauren Belval (Unified partner): Lauren serves as a model of partnership and support, demonstrating how relationships stemming from Special Olympics Unified Sports foster growth, respect, and collaboration. She stands ready to engage, learn, and lead.
• Christine Corah (Mentor): Christine brings her mentoring spirit to the group - guiding, empowering, and helping build an inclusive environment where all voices are valued.
• Eilis Welsh (Mentor): Eilis rounds out the team with her dedication to service and leadership - helping our youth experience real-world leadership, build connections, and amplify their impact.

Together, this Youth Leadership Experience team will:

• Serve as ambassadors for Team CT, carrying our state’s inclusive spirit to the national stage.

• Facilitate athlete-centric programming, peer-mentoring, and leadership workshops around the Games.

• Capture and share stories - of athletes, of inclusion, of triumph - helping our community see the broader impact of sport.

• Return home with new skills, new networks, and a new sense of what leadership and inclusion truly look like.

We’re excited for June 20-26, 2026 when these young leaders will walk alongside our athlete. Their role goes beyond competition - they’re building the next generation of champions, both on and off the field.

You can learn more about each team member below, support any one of them individually, or the Youth Leadership team as a whole by clicking the button to the GoFundMe pages.