Jordan Hall wins two bronze medals during the Special Olympics Games in Hilton Head, South Carolina.
Spartan Jordan Hall poses with Denver Bronco André Davis for a billboard promo. Photo courtesy of Special Olympics.
The ball was served, and the return was an ace. Not even a national tennis competition was a too big of a match for TJ Junior, Jordan Hall, who traveled to Hilton Head, South Carolina for the Special Olympic Games this year.
“I’ve been playing sports with Special Olympics since I was eight years old. Basketball was the first sport I played and my favorite sport. It keeps me energized, and I like the adrenaline,” said Hall. “I play four sports a year with Special Olympics and Denver Parks and Recreation: Basketball, Tennis, Track and Bowling,” he said.
Jordan suffers from PDD NOS, a disorder that qualifies him to be a Special Olympic Athlete. PDD NOS, also know as an atypical autism, conflicts with Jordan’s ability to comprehend and respond to others’ emotions. “Jordan’s a true inspiration to us all. He never lets anyone get to him, and only does what makes him happy,” said proud mom, Charlotte Hall. “He’s a great young man; he’s motivated, and he never gives us any problems,” she said.
Living with PDD OS doesn’t discourage Jordan from taking part in different activities. Along with participating in Special Olympic sports, Jordan also devotes personal time to his community. “Jordan volunteers with the Youth Fellowship at his church. He also volunteers with Denver Parks and Recreation, and once a month he cleans an elderly person’s yard,” said Charlotte. Jordan even enjoys picking up litter at parks, such as plastics and papers that are thrown on the ground. On top of all the volunteering, Jordan also helps pack boxes, which include personal needs like food and water, to be sent to Haiti. “I think we all need to help the people of Haiti who were affected by the earthquake,” said Jordan.
Jordan’s hard work with the community and his devotion to Special Olympics earned him a spot on the Special Olympics Billboards posted across Denver (pictured above), which featured local Special Olympic athletes posing with several Broncos players. “We were looking for local athletes that played different sports with the Special Olympic program. Jordan and his brother, Julian Hall’s, names were the first to be brought up. Jordan and Julian are well thought of in the organization and it was a unanimous decision by our staff,” said Kathy Muffenbier, Director of Marketing and Communications of Special Olympics Denver. “It was a huge honor for them. There are about 10,000 athletes with Special Olympics in Colorado, and for them to represent the program was very special,” she said.
Special it was, since Jordan was thrilled to be a part of the campaign. “It was really fun. I liked seeing the billboards all over the city, and I liked that the billboards had different ethnicites,” said Jordan. “I also really enjoyed meeting the Broncos players; they were really nice to all of the athletes.”
Aside from athletics, Jordan enjoys coming to class at TJ. “My favorite teachers are Ms. Loretta Gonzalez and Mrs. Kimberly Holtman. They are always very nice to me,” said Jordan.
“Jordan is a very friendly student. He works hard and he loves to socialize with his friends,” said Gonzalez, Special Education teacher.
“Jordan is a sweetheart, he’s very kind-hearted, and he always stays positive. It was a pleasure having him as a student,” said teacher Kim Holtman.
Friendships are one of Jordan’s favorite aspects about going to school at TJ. “My closest friends would have to be my cousins,” said Jordan. “They are family so they are nice to me all the time,” he said. Jordan is also fond of surfing the web during his free time. “I watch TV and get on the computer on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. It’s fun! I like Facebook, because I can talk to my friends on the chat,” said Jordan.
In the future, Jordan aspires to become a ghost tourist guide, like the ones seen in the Travel Channel show, Ghost Adventures. “If I could say something to everyone I would say, ‘Hi I’m Jordan Hall. I’m a two-time bronze medalist in South Carolina Special Olympic Competition, and I just want to get to know you better,’” said Jordan.
