Hometown: Topeka
Sport: Soccer
Roman Jenkins has found confidence, connection, and purpose through Special Olympics—and now, he’s ready to take that journey to the national stage.
During high school, Roman was a dedicated multi-sport athlete, competing in soccer, bowling, basketball, bocce, and track & field. Through these experiences, he not only developed his athletic abilities but also built meaningful relationships and discovered a growing sense of confidence. Roman shares that Special Olympics helped him move beyond his shyness, giving him the opportunity to connect with others and form lasting friendships.
Roman takes great pride in his accomplishments, including earning 11 medals and even receiving a letter for his school letter jacket through his participation in Unified sports. But his talents go beyond athletics—he was also selected as an artist for an upcoming Special Olympics coloring book, combining his love for art with his passion for the organization. Additionally, he had the incredible opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. to share his story and how Special Olympics has impacted his life.
Outside of sports, Roman enjoys creating origami and continues to explore his artistic abilities. He also gained work experience through his school’s concession stand and his role as an artist for Special Olympics projects.
Roman credits his parents and his teacher, Miss Gil, for encouraging him to get involved and always do his best—support that helped open doors to opportunities he once never imagined.
Now, Roman is preparing to represent Kansas at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. To him, this opportunity means that someone saw the best in him and believed in his potential.
With a mindset of “practice, practice, practice,” Roman is ready to compete, meet athletes from across the country, and continue growing both on and off the field.
