The Wisconsin State Assembly will recognize Daina Shilts from Neillsville as a “Hometown Hero” at the upcoming Assembly session on Tuesday, Nov. 7.
Shilts, who was born with cognitive learning and physical disabilities and a rare form of Niemann Pick Disease, was nominated by her State Representative, Bob Kulp (R-Stratford), for her hard work and perseverance to achieve her dreams of competing in sports on a global stage. Shilts has been involved with Special Olympics for 19 years, and has been a snowboarder most of her life.
At just 26 years old, Shilts has won four gold medals competing in snowboarding at the Special Olympics World Games in 2013 and 2017. Over the summer, she received an honorary ESPY Award for her accomplishments with Special Olympics at the 2017 ESPY Awards in Los Angeles.
The Wisconsin State Assembly sees giving back to the community as one of the most valuable characteristics one can have. The Assembly Hometown Heroes program seeks to identify and recognize individuals from around the state who give of themselves to make a difference in our communities and in the lives of those around them.
Hometown Hero Award winners are invited and introduced as a special guest at an Assembly floor session and given the opportunity to speak.
