The Helena Halos have been named Special Olympics Montana's 2026 Local Program of the Year, recognition that reflects what participants and coaches describe as a program built as much on friendship as on athletic competition.

The Halos pair Special Olympics athletes with student-athletes from Carroll College, including Carroll football kicker Spencer Berger. "We greet each other with a smile, and I think it's the biggest thing," Berger said. "You can come out here having a bad day, and you see the smiles on these athletes' faces and it just instantly cheers you up." Halos athlete Gracie Gribbons described the bonds the program has built over the years: "Just how we're all good friends — and we've been together for so long that I can't imagine my life without them."

Coach Scott Held said the weekly sessions are a personal highlight. "The immense levels of joy that comes with this — I think it's one of the highlights of my week because you get an opportunity to be out here, having fun, laughing," Held said.

The Halos are preparing to compete at the State Summer Games in the coming weeks. The Local Program of the Year award is given annually by Special Olympics Montana.