Time Period/Baraboo: 1995 – 2016

Submitted by: David and Christine Holm

Sarah’s ties to the Baraboo Community were strong, living and working here her whole life. The community supported her in her Paraolympic dream, and she gave back by sharing her incredible story with the community.

Sarah Ann Holm lived in Baraboo her entire life after coming to us from Pune, India as a two-year old. She graduated from Baraboo High School in 2011 and gained the community’s interest and support as she shared her story of courage and resilience. Sarah underwent surgery after surgery to remove a tumor from her spinal cord. An avid sports enthusiast, Sarah was left paralyzed from the waist down at age 16. She was granted a wish to learn to ski again from the Make a Wish foundation. Using adaptive equipment, Sarah not only learned to ski again, but earned a place on the U.S. Paraolympic Development Team. She also joined the Colsac Skiers, an adaptive waterski program located in Merrimac, and she skied with the Tommy Bartlett water ski show.

Sarah shared her love of sports with others in the Baraboo area through the use of social media, the Baraboo News Republic and speaking engagements. Her “just do it!” attitude was an inspiration to disabled and able-bodied people alike.

Sarah graduated from Madison College in May 2012 (??) with a degree in Recreation Management. She went on to work for the Baraboo School District in the role of Recreation Director for the summer Kid Stop program until her death in June 2016. Hundreds of Baraboo elementary school students fondly remember “Miss Sarah” for her gifts of love, laughter, encouragement and her positive outlook on life.