Chicago Ducky Derby Ambassador Mallory Taylor draws inspiration from Special Olympics
This August, Mallory Taylor of Naperville will add Chicago Ducky Derby 2021 Duck Ambassador to an already-impressive list of accomplishments.
The 24-year-old Special Olympic Illinois athlete has competed year-round for 16 years, earning over 75 gold, silver and bronze medals in bocce, softball, track and field, golf, basketball, volleyball, soccer, floor hockey and speed skating.
On Thursday, August 5, Taylor will join Chicagoans at the Columbus Drive Bridge as thousands of yellow rubber ducks are dumped into the Chicago River for the 16th annual Chicago Ducky Derby benefiting Special Olympics Illinois.
“I am so excited to spend the day in Chicago at this event with my family and friends,” Taylor said.
“Every year I sell ducks to help raise money and support Special Olympics. I want as many people to support me as possible so we can have a great time supporting Special Olympics.”
Over the years, Taylor’s team, the Darling Ducklings, has sold thousands of ducks — and Taylor and her mother Bonnie have spent this summer outside local Naperville establishments, like pet shops and the Buffalo Wild Wings where Taylor works, to sell even more ducks leading up to the derby.
The ducks sold by Taylor, her mom and the Darling Ducklings will help provide countless opportunities and services for more than 23,000 athletes and over 13,000 Young Athletes across Illinois. On August 5, Taylor will be at the finish line to hold up the winning duck.
“The derby is going to be so exciting,” Taylor explained.
“I get to pick the winning duck and talk to all of my friends and Special Olympic athletes. I will have a lot of press conferences early in the morning. I am so thankful I get to support Special Olympics and feel proud.”
Bonnie is also proud, especially of daughter. “Not only is Mallory a dedicated athlete, she is a caring, social person who loves making new friends,” Bonnie explained.
“I am naturally more nervous, so to see my daughter be so fearless and take on so many different sports and new experiences while managing multiple jobs, friends and competitions inspires me so much. I am very proud of how ambitious she is and what a contagious personality she has.”
Special Olympics Illinois has provided Taylor not just with a physical outlet to succeed, but a social one as well.
Since joining the Special Olympics family at eight years old, Taylor has become a Special Olympics Global Messenger. She has built confidence, language skills and social skills by forming bonds with other athletes and their families — and these skills have served her well in her professional life, too. In addition to her hostess and food preparation job at Buffalo Wild Wings, Taylor also works at Still Middle School in the Organic Life Food Lunch program, preparing and serving lunches for the students; and at Aspen Lane Wine Company where she serves as a team representative, responsible for greeting guests, handing out wine, tickets, busing tables, checking on food and assisting with cleanup.
Outside of work, Taylor is highly active on social media, has many friends, and enjoys going to the movies and playing in a monthly Bunco group. She meets weekly for a Next Chapter Book Club, participates in Young Life Ministries and is now part of the Young Life leadership team. Taylor is also an Assistant Captain on the Chicago Blackhawks Special Hockey team. She has been skating with this team since she was three years old.
With such a busy schedule, Taylor always finds time to prioritize Special Olympics and events like the Ducky Derby.
“I am so thankful and have to thank my family and friends — and, of course, Special Olympics,” Taylor said.
“Staying busy is great and I love it a lot. I can’t wait to be the ambassador of the derby — and I think I will even have time for autographs!”
Supporters can adopt a duck from Taylor and her team for $5, visit chicagoduckyderby.com and search for the Darling Ducklings team. Ducky Derby prizes include a Chevy Trailblazer, an all-inclusive trip to Mexico, cash, shopping sprees and more.