Andrea DeBernardo

Old Lyme, CT

Meet Andrea DeBernardo, an athlete who will participate in the Youth Leadership Experience at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis. Andrea is 19 years old and lives in Old Lyme, where she attends a transition academy and is job training at a local preschool. Andrea has been involved in Special Olympics since 2018 and has competed in gymnastics, swimming, and Unified Sports®. Recently, Andrea won the Unified Sports® Athlete of the Year award at her school! She also competed in gymnastics at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando, Florida.

Andrea says that Special Olympics has changed her life by helping her make new friends and feel better about herself. “I am very competitive and always want a gold medal. I get sad when I don’t get medals,” says Andrea. 

In addition to Special Olympics, Andrea’s activities include helping out at her church’s soup kitchen. She also enjoys baking and cooking with her mom and sister, and boating and going to water parks with her friends in the summer. 

Andrea looks up to her coach, Christine Corah, because she is very smart and helps her improve her skills. She also admires her older sister, Elsie, who she says is also very smart. 

“I am happy to represent my school and state. I look forward to meeting new friends and learning from being there (at the 2026 USA Games),” says Andrea.