A local woman who was involved with the Special Olympics throughout her life will be inducted into the Hall of Fame

BOISE – A Hibbard woman who died last year after impacting the lives of countless people was recently honored by Special Olympics Idaho.

Gina Munns died in February 2023. She was born with an advanced form of spastic cerebral palsy, and this condition affected her ability to move her muscles and confined her to a wheelchair all her life. Doctors said she would not live longer than eight years.

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However, Gina defied all odds and not only lived to the age of 44, but also became an outstanding athlete at the Special Olympics.

“She’s had several gold and silver medals and maybe two or three bronze medals over the years,” said Gina’s mother, Rhonda Munns.

Gina began participating in the Special Olympics in 1996 when she was a freshman at South Fremont High School and remained there until 2022.

She had a love for athletics and bowling. Munns competed in the 50-meter wheelchair slalom, a event where the athlete uses two lanes and maneuvers his wheelchair through cones. She also raced on the 30-meter wheelchair obstacle course.

“She started those (events) and she still did track and field every year, but then she (also) started bowling,” Rhonda explained. “We never knew how she would ever be able to bowl, but they have ramps for that.”

Over the years, the Munns family has witnessed firsthand how Special Olympics can change people’s lives. Rhonda said it has given her a new perspective on athletics, sportsmanship and competition. Although Gina is gone, the Special Olympics continues to hold a special place in the hearts of the Munns.

About a year and a half after Gina’s death, in September 2024, Rhonda received a call from one of the directors of Special Olympics Idaho. He told her they wanted to induct Gina into the Special Olympics Idaho Hall of Fame during a “Night of the Champions Gala‘, a fundraising event in Boise.

“There are several things they look at when they choose (the inductees) and part of that is how long they have competed, hours of training, sportsmanship and attitude,” Rhonda explained. “They choose two to three candidates every year, so they chose Gina and a few other girls.”

Gina’s family attended the event on October 19, 2024, where they received a plaque on Gina’s behalf. Rhonda also received a lifetime service award since she has helped with the Special Olympics since Gina graduated high school and continues to coach.

“(Gina) loved Special Olympics and she would have been so excited if this had happened when she was alive. I could just hear her screaming with joy that that was going to happen,” said Rhonda. “It was such a tender moment when they were talking about her and all she had achieved through the Special Olympics, and when she received the award it was a special evening.”