At Tavares High School, senior Brooke Butts has spent four years building a legacy that extends far beyond wins and losses. She embodies the spirit of Special Olympics competition both on and off the field.

A member of the school’s Unified Special Olympics team, Brooke has become a cornerstone of the program, earning respect from teammates, coaches and the community for her leadership and unwavering positivity.

Whether in the classroom or in competition, Brooke has consistently given her best. She serves as a student leader in the school’s Inclusion Club and as a Unified Pair leader, a role that helps bring students together through sport and shared experiences. She has also helped expand opportunities for others, co-writing a grant with a Unified partner for Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools and working as the buddy director for the Tavares Best Buddies.

Her impact has reached beyond campus. Brooke has appeared in a statewide commercial promoting Unified Special Olympics, helping raise awareness and inspire participation in schools across Florida. Over the course of her four years, Unified Sports in Lake County has grown significantly, with more sports offered today than ever before.

“Brooke is the first to find the positive in any situation,” Tavares High Unified coach Jordan Talmage  explained in a recent interview. “Even when her team is struggling, she’s encouraging teammates and lifting everyone up.”

This year marked a milestone: Brooke was named Lake County Special Olympics Florida Student Athlete of the Year after competing in bocce, bowling and cornhole. She received the honor at a county event earlier this year, crediting her family and friends for helping her reach that point.

“I’m very grateful,” Brooke says. “They push me to be my best. The award is awesome.”

Her approach to competition is simple.

“Just have fun,” she says. “Just having fun pays off.”

Brooke’s mindset reflects the Special Olympics motto: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt” a philosophy she carries into every practice, game and classroom assignment.

Brooke is also involved in many fundraising events for Unified Special Olympics, whether selling cotton candy or seeking donations at local Publix locations. She has worked hard to do everything she can to help elevate Unified sports in the area.

When she’s not involved with Unified Sports, Brooke enjoys drawing and working on puzzles. She has a clear vision for her future. Inspired by her father, who is a math teacher, she hopes to follow a similar path and work with children as an educator. Math is already her favorite subject, and it’s something she wants to turn into a career.

She’s also an avid fan of UCF Knights football, bringing that same enthusiasm she shows as a supporter into her own competitions. Brooke notes that UCF fans and students are so passionate, and she tries to replicate that same passion at every event she attends and is a part of.

As her high school career comes to a close, Brooke is leaving behind a program strengthened by her presence and a community inspired by her example. She is a student-athlete who has shown that success is measured not just in championships, but in character, kindness and the ability to lift others along the way.