The Geneva Chamber of Commerce has chosen 18-year-old Mari Landwehr as its 2022 Swedish Days Parade Marshal.
“I am very proud to be the parade marshal this year for the parade in my hometown,” Landwehr stated.
Landwehr has lived in Geneva all her eighteen years. She has been involved with Special Olympics and Fox Valley Special Recreation since 2012 with rhythmic gymnastics. She went to the state tournament her first year. Since then she has added swimming and Unified golf to her activities. She has won gold in her division. Having graduated from Geneva High School, Mari currently attends the SAIL program at Mid-Valley Special Education.
Additionally, she volunteers through school at the Baker Church and Feed My Starving Child. She enjoys traveling with her family and cooking.
Landwehr was on Team Illinois representing Illinois in swimming at the US Special Olympics which took place in Orlando, Florida earlier this month. She competed strong all week and was awarded a bronze medal with her relay team.
“The Chamber is thrilled to honor Mari and her accomplishments. She has helped put Geneva on the map and represented her city well at the US Special Olympics,” notes Laura Rush, Geneva Chamber of Commerce Communications Director.
When asked what it meant to her to be attending the US Special Olympics, she stated, “that my hard work and practice has paid off. I got to travel to a new place and make new friends – so exciting!”
Swedish Days Festival supported by Northwestern Medicine runs June 22-26. For more information visit https://www.genevachamber.com/festivals-events/swedish-days/.
