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your homegrown newspaper March 18, 2026
Vol. 22, No. 28
MME clients take top places at winter Special Olympics by Joyce Lobeck for Valley Journal
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Burglary pg. 5
Data science pg. 9
Medical resources pg. 16
or their debut participation at the Bitterroot Winter Special Olympics, five clients from Mission Mountain Empowerment did the organization proud, with all of them placing in the two events they took part in. And had fun doing it. Cody Merritt, a man of few words, was so excited when he won gold in downhill snowboarding. And Danny Helmer, who won silver in the event, now has big goals for a hobby that has become much more. Meanwhile, the three women who participated in the snowshoe race took home the top three medals in that event. Jessica Kent won the gold medal, and Jessica Carter and Sylvia Bond tied for silver. “Jessica Kent hadn’t snowshoed since she was in high school,” said Kristen Wurster, MME engagement and vocation director who is the Special Olympics coach.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MISSION MOUNTAIN EMPOWERMENT
Cody Merritt won gold in the downhill snowboarding event.
Now an adult in her 30s, “Jessica enjoyed it and remembered fond times. Now she wants to get her own equipment.” About three years ago,
MME started training in the winter sports with a small group of clients. “It’s a great way to get them outdoors and be active for their mental and w w w.va l le yj our na l.net
physical health and to try new things,” Wurster said. “We have had three years of snowboarding and skiing lessons at
Blacktail Ski Area,” she continued. “Clearly, they have been successful since our snowboarders performed well at the games. Our skiers in lessons now plan to attend and participate in the Winter Games next year.” The Bitterroot Winter Special Olympics is a long-running annual event. The 43rd annual games were held March 3-4 at Lost Trail Powder Mountain ski area in western Montana near the Idaho border. Athletes competed in alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding and snowshoe racing. The theme was “Sailing Together, Every Ability Shines.” Sixty-three athletes from across western Montana took over the mountain this year, competing with heart, determination and months - if not years - of hardearned preparation. “We were served a beautiful banquet dinner at the Bitterroot River Inn, where we stayed, and had awards and a dance with a DJ,” Wurster said. see page 2