LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — "It's an honor just to be able to do what I was gifted to do and blessed to do, but for it to be recognized, even so many years later," said Jallen.
Luzerne County native Stephanie Jallen says she didn't realize having success in a sport would lead to the PA Sports Hall of Fame.
Jallen was introduced to skiing in 2006. By 2011, she was skiing on the international circuit. Newswatch 16 caught up with her in 2013 as she trained for her biggest competition ever, what would later become her most treasured memory: competing in the 2014 Paralympic Winter games in Sochi, where she won two bronze medals for Team USA.
"I can remember the smell of the snow in the trees. I can remember the sounds of my coaches. I can remember the sound of the snow under my ski. I can feel it, I feel the chill of the air, everything is so ingrained, especially, this core memory of mine walking out onto the stage being announced "from the United States of America". It's just something that will forever live with me," Jallen said.
Jallen is one of the youngest members selected to the PA Sports Hall of Fame, but she's also the first disabled female athlete joining this illustrious club.
"I really hope opens the floodgates for a broader view of what's to be looked at for the Hall of Fame going forward and to be able to break through in that pathway. I almost cried actually, when Jim had told me he's like, did you know you were the first disabled person to ever be nominated? And I was like, wow," said Jallen.
Other 2024 inductees from our area include former NBA player Dave Popson, former NFL player Bo Orlando, and former MLB pitcher Mike Mussina.
The induction ceremony for the 2024 PA Sports Hall of Fame is this Saturday near Philadelphia.