Lauren Belval

Old Lyme, CT

Lauren Belval is a Youth Leader from Old Lyme who will be attending her first Special Olympics USA Games in 2026! Lauren is 15 years old and a student at Lyme-Old Lyme High School. She works for the Town of Old Lyme as a lifeguard. 

“Special Olympics has changed my life by allowing me to travel across the United States to participate with my friends,” said Lauren. 

Lauren is most proud of how she’s pushed herself to try new activities - including joining her school’s Unified Sports® team. Since getting involved in Special Olympics Unified Sports®, Lauren has been recognized as the Most Improved Player and Most Valuable Player. She’s also earned high honors, served as a mentor for students at the middle school, and was awarded a scholarship for an art program at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts. 

Lauren admires her dad the most because he is very involved in the community - as a helpful neighbor, EMT, or driver’s ed teacher at the high school. She’s had many pets, including a hedgehog, 15 chickens, and two rescue dogs. 

“Attending the USA Games means to me that I succeeded in being a partner in Unified Sports®, and I look forward to spending time with my teammates and making new friends,” she says.