Auburn’s Tyler May received the Golden Tennis Shoe Award, which honors individuals whose dedication and compassion have improved their communities and the state of Washington.

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) presented the award to May in a ceremony Monday at the downtown Seattle Westin.

Dr. Jill Biden, the Second Lady of the United States, joined Murray at the 18th annual luncheon. Biden delivered opening remarks.

May, a 17-year-old senior at Auburn High School, has been involved with Special Olympics for two years, winning back-to-back gold medals in golf. He is the first autistic athlete to receive an MVP award on any athletic team at Auburn High.

May is a member of the Special Olympics Athlete Leadership Program, where he speaks at community outreach and fundraising events on behalf of the Special Olympics. He recently took part in the Special Olympics Capitol Hill Day in Washington D.C., where he walked the halls of Congress, asking the Washington State Congressional Representatives and Senators for their sponsorship of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act of 2013.

May represented more than 10,000 Special Olympic athletes from the state in a show of support for a bill that would reauthorize the Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act of 2004 and provide assistance to Best Buddies to support the expansion and development of mentoring programs.

“This goes out to every single Special Olympian in the state of Washington. This is to you. Thanks,” May said after receiving the award Monday.

Murray added: “As a Special Olympian, Tyler believes that individuals with disabilities should have the opportunity to compete at the highest level of sport and be recognized for their efforts. It is a belief he is willing to fight for.”