Kelsea Nolan

High school senior Kelsea Nolan has been involved as a volunteer for six years with the Challenger Division of Little League baseball in Dundee, IL, bringing the joy of America’s pastime to boys and girls with physical and mental challenges.

Kelsea’s experience with this can-do group of ballplayers has made a positive impact on her community. She helped the organization get its first donor, served as a vice president for the program and took on the role of chairing an event that attracted 250 people and raised $20,000 to send the local Challenger team to the Little League World Series.

The Challenger Division was established in 1989 as a separate division of Little League. Today, more than 30,000 children participate in more than 900 Challenger Divisions worldwide. With support from volunteers like Kelsea, special needs youth play on the same fields, with the same equipment, and get to feel what it’s like to pull together as a team, being cheered by fans, making new friends and building confidence.