Special Olympian Earns High School Athletic Letter

Foothill High School senior Andrew Brumm has a new honor that has him standing tall and proud--letterman.

The Special Olympian has been competing in bowling and basketball since he was 12-years-old. Now he wears proof of his dedication to sports in his blue Foothill Falcons letterman jacket.

He’s the first high school student in Alameda County to receive an athletic letter.

“I feel that it’s meant to be on me,” Brumm told ABC7.

In addition to the school, Brumm can thank his mom Janeen for the inclusive change at Foothill. She told Patch, “I was thinking how other parents have senior pictures taken of their kids with their letterman jackets on and Andrew has always wished he could have one. I just started thinking, ‘Why can’t he have one? He works hard every year in his sports in Special Olympics! And why can’t all Special Olympic athletes at FHS have one?’

“I emailed Mr. K, our principal, and said I just want to start this conversation about Special Olympians earning a letter and without hesitation, and he said he loved the idea!”

Foothill High School Principal Jason Krolikowski told Patch, “We decided to include SO athletes in our letterman system because they compete, commit, and work very hard in their respective sports. Andrew is an excellent role model as he pursues victory with honor. We are proud that Andrew will represent Foothill High School athletes everywhere.”

While Brumm is the first Alameda County Special Olympian with an athletic letter, he won’t be the last.

“Amador got on board as well. It’s very exciting!” said Janeen.

Brumm gets the last word, “It felt really good. I felt like I was going to be more special than I already was.”

Photos Courtesy of Janeen Rubino Brumm