Kittson Central graduate earns three bronzes at Special Olympics USA Games

By Anna Jauhola
Em LaPlant’s dream came true, times three, at the end of June. She can officially say she is a bronze medalist in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.
Just four years ago, LaPlant started powerlifting – not with a goal of winning anything, but because she wanted to prove she could do it. This skill led to her qualifying for the North Dakota Special Olympics team, and earning three bronze medals at the Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis June 20-26.
“It felt amazing,” LaPlant said in a phone interview. “A dream come true, really. Once I got into powerlifting, I wanted to get to the next level, and I did.”
LaPlant, a 2014 Kittson Central graduate, has been a Special Olympics athlete since 2013. After graduation, she attended Lake Region State College in Devils Lake, where she earned her associate’s degree in early childhood education. When she moved to Grand Forks, LaPlant began working at Choice Health and Fitness as a custodian.
“I see the stereotype that a lot of the time weightlifting and powerlifting are only for men,” she said. “So, I wanted to break down that stereotype that only men can be powerlifters. That’s how my whole journey started. And fun fact, I am Grand Forks’s first female powerlifter (for Special Olympics)”
In her four years of work, LaPlant’s highest bench press is 120 pounds and highest deadlift is 215 pounds. So when she qualified for Team North Dakota to compete in the Special Olympics USA Games, LaPlant was excited but didn’t set any specific expectations.
“I was just really excited to be there and try to do my best,” she said.

To read the whole story, see the July 15, 2026, edition of the Kittson County Enterprise

EM LAPLANT, center in blue, is congratulated by Minnesota’s First Lady Gwen Walz, after receiving one of her bronze medals. The Kittson Central graduate recently took three bronzes at the Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis.