OXFORD — Oxford Hills native and Gatorade Maine, Girls Basketball Player of the Year, 2025 Ella Pelletier, awarded Oxford County Special Olympics with a $1,000 grant to help local Special Olympic athletes participate in sporting events throughout the year, covering training costs, purchasing equipment needed for events and provide the opportunity for social inclusion. Special Olympics is a global sports movement dedicated to harnessing the human spirit through the transformative power of sport.

The organization addresses critical issues such as inactivity, stigma, isolation, and injustice faced by individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID). Through a diverse range of programming in sports, health, education, and community development, Special Olympics promotes the full inclusion of individuals with ID in society.

Sports have seen a double-digit decline over the past decade, largely due to tighter budgets in communities. Still, young people who participate in sports are found to be happier, healthier, and better students. As part of Gatorade’s commitment to breaking down barriers in sports, every Player of the Year receives a grant to donate to a social impact partner.

“The Gatorade Player of the Year award highlights student-athletes who set an example both on and off the field,” said Josh Lytel, Associate Marketing Manager for Gatorade Player of the Year. “The grants give these athletes a chance to donate to organizations like Oxford County Special Olympics, which positively impact the youth in their communities.”

“We are very grateful to be recipients of the Gatorade Player of the Year grant; Ella is an amazing athlete and has really shown her potential both on the court and off. The 5-foot-11 senior guard had an extraordinary season, skillfully leading the Vikings to a remarkable 17-3 record and clinching a spot in the highly competitive Class AA regional final. Pelletier dazzled fans and teammates alike with her impressive stats, averaging 23.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. A defining moment of her career unfolded in late December when she unleashed a phenomenal 36-point performance against Lawrence, surpassing the significant milestone of 1,000 career points,” said Ashly Rolfe, Area Manager of Oxford County Special Olympics.

As a three-year captain, her leadership on the court was palpable, fostering a sense of camaraderie among her teammates and guiding them toward success. Pelletier’s relentless drive and skill didn’t go unnoticed; she earned four consecutive All-Conference selections and was honored as a finalist for the prestigious Miss Maine Basketball award—a testament to her hard work and talent.

Academically, she has been just as impressive, maintaining a stellar 4.5 weighted GPA while managing the demands of athletics. This fall, Pelletier is set to embark on an exciting new chapter by joining the basketball program at Stonehill College, where she will continue to pursue her passion for the game.

“Beyond her athletic and academic achievements, she is a cherished three-year member of the National Honor Society, reflecting her commitment to excellence. Her dedication to community service shines through her involvement in her school’s peer mentoring program and coaching local youth basketball teams. By sharing her love for the game and mentoring younger players, she inspires others to strive for greatness. Again, we are incredibly grateful to be the recipients of this grant, and we cannot thank Ella enough for thinking of us. Oxford County Special Olympics wishes Ella all the best in her future endeavors, and we look forward to seeing what she will accomplish next!” said Rolfe.

Oxford County Special Olympics emphasizes high-quality training and competitive experiences in an inclusive environment, particularly through its Unified Sports initiative, which allows athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to collaborate and compete together. With over 30 Olympic-style sports available, athletes from ages 2 to 99 can participate in meaningful training and competitions tailored to their needs.

Participants benefit from experiences governed by the comprehensive guidelines of Sport Rules Article 1, which prioritize safety and fair play. Strategic partnerships with International Sport Federations enhance the quality of competitions while promoting best practices globally.

Additionally, programs like Unified Schools foster social inclusion, enabling students of varying abilities to interact and build friendships. The Young Athletes program introduces foundational sports skills to children as young as 2, supporting their development and instilling a love for physical activity.

Together, these initiatives exemplify Special Olympics’ commitment to creating a more inclusive world, empowering individuals to participate fully in their communities and experience the benefits of sport.

The Gatorade Player of the Year program recognizes the nation’s most elite high school student-athletes not only for outstanding athletic excellence but also for high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character. All 610 Gatorade State Player of the Year recipients are awarded a grant to donate to a social impact partner of their choosing. Each Player of the Year can also submit a video about why their organization is deserving of one of 12 Spotlight Grants, which awards an additional $10,000 to the organization. To date, Player of the Year winners’ grants have totaled more than $5.6 million across more than 2,000 organizations.

Gatorade has a longstanding history of serving athlete communities, and its ambition is to continue doing more to create positive change. Most recently, Gatorade announced its Fuel Tomorrow commitment, a multi-year initiative to provide opportunities for everyone to play sports and realize their potential.

To keep up to date on the latest happenings, become a fan of Gatorade Player of the Year on Facebook and follow the conversation on Twitter #GatoradePOY. For more on Gatorade Player of the Year Community Grants, the Gatorade Player of the Year, including nomination information, a complete list of past winners, and the announcement of the Gatorade National Player of the Year, visit PlayerOfTheYear.Gatorade.com