Barbara Draper receives Special Olympics award

Special Olympics Texas has selected Barbara Draper as the 2006 Trainer of the Year. Ms. Draper has been involved in Special Olympics for more that 15 years and has volunteered more than 100 hours a year.

She is a part of the sports management team for Special Olympics Texas and has made it a priority in her life to make sure the athletes have the best experience possible. She also dedicates most of her time to help train new coaches.

On Oct. 13 she was given her award and recognized for her achievements at opening ceremonies for the 2006 Fall Classics in Waco. Ms. Draper is a Rusk High School graduate.

She graduated from North Texas State and received her masters degree from Howard Payne University.

She is active treatment coordinator at Lufkin State School and the daughter of Kathryn and Bill Draper of Alto, formerly of Rusk.