PAC Alumnus Jonah Obregon Brings Home Two National Gold Medals

Jonah Obregon, a 2022 graduate of Palo Alto College's Project Access program, recently represented Texas at the 2026 Special Olympics USA National Games in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In his first appearance at the national competition, he won gold medals in both the 25-yard and 50-yard freestyle events.

Jonah began swimming competitively at the young age of 12, when a middle school coach introduced him to the Special Olympics, the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Since then, Jonah has become a highly decorated swimmer, earning over 70 medals in state and regional competitions.

“I like being in the pool, that’s my favorite part,” Jonah says. He trains in the pool several days each week, focusing on fundamentals like breathing technique, strokes, and flip turns. Outside of the pool, strength conditioning four to five days a week complements his training schedule. 

Jonah’s mother remembers his love of the water beginning when he was a young child. Over the years, swimming has helped him build confidence, improve his focus and coordination, and find a community where he can thrive.

That journey reached a new milestone in Minnesota during the 2026 Special Olympics USA National Games.

When Jonah found out he had qualified for the USA National Games, he was excited to travel and compete on a national stage. Once it was time to race, however, he focused on doing what he had practiced.

“I was confident,” Jonah said.

That confidence paid off because Jonah posted personal-best performances throughout the competition and returned home with two gold medals and a 4th-place medal. An accomplishment that Jonah and his family say is among the proudest moments of his athletic career.

“I just wanted to see him do his best,” his mother, Diedra, said. “And every heat [race] was a personal best.”

Jonah’s sister, Tyler Archer, Dean for Student Success at Palo Alto College, watched the races virtually.

“I was screaming and crying in the Welcome Center watching it on my phone,” she said. “We’re all very proud of Jonah, and I am so proud to work at an institution that values this population enough to have the only program like this in San Antonio for college students,” shares Dean Archer.

Jonah isn't finished yet.

He plans to continue competing in Special Olympics, renew his lifeguard certification, and pursue his goal of becoming a swim coach. A dream that he discovered by finding joy in helping his teammates stay focused and prepared, making sure they have everything they need before a competition, and helping others with their dives. 

His experience in Project Access prepared him for those opportunities and even helped him land a coaching role during his chapter’s summer swim league.

Jonah attended Palo Alto College from 2021 to 2022, earning his General Office Level 1  Certificate through Project Access, a program designed to help students with intellectual and developmental disabilities build skills for employment, independent living, and lifelong learning. During his time at PAC, Jonah developed practical skills, including creating a résumé and, perhaps most importantly, learned to identify his strengths and weaknesses and become more comfortable asking for help when he needed it.

For Jonah, this Olympic win is simply another opportunity to keep moving forward.

And whether he's racing toward a national title, helping a teammate prepare for competition, or working toward his next goal, Jonah continues to show what is possible when talent, determination, opportunity, and a strong support system come together.

If you would like to learn more about Project Access, visit alamo.edu/pac/sas.