When Nikilani Rojas first heard that she had been chosen to be the Special Olympic Games North America (SONA) Conference, she was at baseball practice. “I looked at my email and saw that I had gotten in,” she remembers with a smile. “It was very exciting.”
Nikilani will represent Hawaii at the SONA Athlete Leadership Conference
As a passionate leader working to build local councils and give athletes a stronger voice, Nikilani embraced the opportunity to learn, connect and share ideas with leaders from across the country.
Nikki was selected for her determination to build athlete leadership in her community. She was the only athlete in Maui actively working to establish an Athlete Leadership Council, and her passion stood out. With her mentor and area director, she began recruiting athletes not only from Maui, but also from the neighboring islands of Moloka’i and Lana’I, three islands that make up Maui County.
Attending the SONA conference was a turning point. Nikki joined ten other athlete leaders from across the country and dove into workshops and group discussions. “She came back to the room every night and talked about everything she learned,” said Nip Ho, Special Olympic Games Hawaii Senior Vice President of Programs. “She was taking notes and already starting to share them with her area director in Maui.”
For Nikki, the conference was about more than just leadership skills. It was about giving athletes and families a stronger voice. “We all have a voice and we can get our athletes and our families more involved,” she said. “We can raise funds together and start new things.”
First meeting of the Athlete Leadership Council in Maui
From shy as a child to leading with confidence today, Nikilani organized the first-ever Special Olympics Maui Athlete Leadership Council meeting.
Within a few weeks of returning home, Nikki put her training into practice. She set an agenda, created a flyer, found a meeting room and invited athletes from all over Maui County to attend the first meeting of the Athlete Leadership Council. “She connected with her area director, recruited athletes and organized the first meeting,” Nip said. “In six months I have seen so much growth with Nikki.”
That first meeting in Maui was a success. Athletes, coaches and Unified partners came together eager to support the new council. “This was an opportunity for Nikki to shine,” said Adrienne Laurion, Special Olympics Maui Area Director. “She got athletes more involved, encouraged them to use their voices and made everyone feel excited about the future of Special Olympics Maui.”
Nikki’s family beamed with pride. Toni Rojas, Nikki’s mother, said: “She has always been determined and has such a passion for her friends. This role is perfect for her. She loves bringing people together and she really enjoys being in front of a crowd.”
From a shy eight-year-old to captain of her swim team, and now a leader shaping the future of athlete voices in Maui, Nikki’s journey reflects the heart of Special Olympics. “Special Olympics cannot happen without the leadership and voice of our athletes,” said Nip. “It is the leadership of our athletes that will take us into the future.”
Nikilani’s sweet success at Stillwell’s Bakery
Nikilani shows that abilities, not disabilities, determine a person’s potential. The power of inclusion in the workplace proves that when companies open doors to people of all abilities, everyone wins.
Nikki’s impact doesn’t stop at the Special Olympics. She also works at Stillwell’s Bakery, a beloved local store. There she is a baker, where she makes delicious treats and greets customers with the same energy and warmth that she brings to her leadership role. Her presence at the bakery has made her a familiar face in the community, and the trust she has built by serving others every day translates directly into the way she leads and connects with fellow athletes.
For Nikki, that future is already here. She leads, she grows and ensures that athletes in Maui, Moloka’i and Lana’i have a voice.
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