ELWOOD — If there’s one thing Mary Beth Dunnichay would like to get out of her surging fame, it’s the opportunity to change the lives of children. Especially those with special needs.

Recently, Dunnichay had the fortune to meet with a young Lapel girl named Rachel.

The girl’s wish was to have a face-to-face encounter with America’s youngest Olympian. A charity set up a time at Elwood Mayor Merrill Taylor’s office, and Dunnichay was more than willing to oblige.

“It was so cool,” Dunnichay recalls. “This is the stuff I really enjoy doing.”

This was also the moment the 15-year-old diving phenom came to realize something the rest of Madison County had been familiar with for months: She has a unique ability to inspire others.

That’s a big part of the reason Dunnichay is The Herald Bulletin’s Person of the Year for 2008, as selected by the Editorial Board of the newspaper.

The Herald Bulletin’s Person of the Year award recognizes exceptional positive impact on the community over the past year. Significant impact over past years is also considered.

“We have a large number of people in this community that do extraordinary things all of the time,” said Henry Bird, publisher of The Herald Bulletin. “But what Mary Beth did by representing the USA in Beijing is something that we will all remember and be proud of for years to come.”

Dunnichay will receive a distinctive glass Person of the Year piece, and $1,000 will be donated by The Herald Bulletin to The Hopewell Center in her name. The money, at Dunnichay’s request, will be specifically earmarked for the center’s children’s services.

As for her own recent work with Rachel, it seems as though Dunnichay was as inspired as the child she was there to talk with.

When she walked into the room, Dunnichay could see the surprise on Rachel’s face. She tried to make the situation as relaxed and comfortable as possible.

“We just had a normal conversation,” Dunnichay said. “I asked her what she wanted for Christmas.”

As the pair talked, Dunnichay realized Rachel was hanging on her every word. And she started to get a handle on what she means to the community.

“I think that was the first time she really understood,” said her mother Marian Dunnichay. “You really are an inspiration to others.”

Mary Beth’s summary of the meeting is typical of her nature.