Chloe Johnson, a sophomore on the Colorado College women's cross country and track and field teams from Castle Rock, Colo., was named the SCAC Character and Community Female Athlete of the Week.

The SCAC Character & Community award honors the efforts of student-athletes who excel in the field of athletics, and also serve their campus and community.
 
Johnson has made service a defining part of her collegiate experience. She helped establish the Special Olympics club at Colorado College and has built a partnership with the Pikes Peak Wolves, a local Special Olympics program, creating opportunities for unified soccer, basketball, bowling, and campus-based events.

"I don't really look at Special Olympics too much as community service," Johnson said. "It's just a way of life for me… I feel like I've been given a lot and I'm super grateful, so I feel like I owe it to my community to give back."

Johnson's passion for the organization began long before arriving at CC. She has been involved with Special Olympics since elementary school and later served on Special Olympics Colorado's Youth Activation Committee. She was selected as a U.S. Youth Ambassador for Special Olympics North America, traveling across the continent to advocate for inclusion through sport.

At Colorado College, Johnson has worked to bring that same spirit of inclusion to campus. In addition to regular unified sport sessions with the Pikes Peak Wolves, she has helped organize an annual Special Olympics sports day each May, where CC athletic teams host clinics for Special Olympics athletes.