Get to know Sullivan area youth athlete Sophie Foster
SULLIVAN, Ill. — If you know Sophie Foster, you know her big heart. But did you know that she is also an accomplished athlete? Sophie participates in a number of sports including dance, basketball, running, and the softball throw.
Sophie was adopted by the Foster family when she was five. She immediately started dancing at the Sullivan Dance Studio. Sophie’s mom, Tammy, says “The dance studio has been the most accommodating, no one is as accommodating as Melissa Kreiger. She is the queen of finding a way.” When Sophie first started dance her mother says she would squat on the floor and say “no” over and over. Tammy says “without Melissa, Sophie wouldn’t be active at all.”
The year after starting dance, Sophie was on the competition dance team. She danced multiple specialty dances, but perhaps the most special one was with her sister Adalee. Adalee is only 5 weeks older than Sophie, so the two have a special bond. Their dance duet is a special way to show that relationship.
Along with dance, Sophie also competes in the special olympics. Tammy says “Coach Typer and Christine Grohler were the ones that got her into the special olympics back when she was in elementary school.” Now 11 years old and in middle school, Sophie has become quite the star. She went to state for the special olympics in running and the softball throw. She also competes in basketball. Along with the special olympics, Sophie enjoys swimming in Lake Shelbyville riding the bike gifted to her by the local AMBUCS chapter, and horseback riding at STARR in Mt. Zion.
Tammy is so appreciative of the community for being accommodating for Sophie, including all the coaches and people that helped get her to where she is today. Tammy says “this is a big benefit of the small town community.” And thank you to Sophie for showing all of us that nothing should hold you back.
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