Clarendon Hills resident Becky Cavanagh will pull the winning rubber duck from the Chicago River on Thursday, Aug. 6, after being named the 2026 ambassador for the Chicago Ducky Derby, Special Olympics Illinois' largest annual fundraiser.

Cavanagh, who turns 21 in early August, has competed in Special Olympics Illinois for 13 years across rhythmic gymnastics, equestrian, and swimming.

"I screamed at the top of my lungs!" she told the Chicago Tribune when she learned the news.

The Ducky Derby has raised more than $4.8 million for Special Olympics Illinois since 2005, according to the organization. Participants pay to "adopt" rubber ducks that are dumped from a truck on the Columbus Drive Bridge into the river. Fifteen to 20 minutes later, the ambassador plucks the winner from the water.

Cavanagh is no stranger to the event. She's a member of the Darling Ducklings, an athlete-led fundraising team that accounts for roughly 20% of duck adoptions each year, according to Special Olympics Illinois. As of Monday, July 20, she had personally sold more than 900 ducks. In the last 10 years, two of her ducks have been winners.

Her pitch is direct: "Do you want to adopt a duck for Special Olympics?" She carries a card with a QR code for anyone who wants to donate later.

Earlier in July, Cavanagh rang the opening bell at the Chicago Board of Trade alongside fellow Special Olympics athletes. Her father, Joe Cavanagh, said the traders were "extraordinarily generous" in supporting her duck sales.

Beyond competition, Cavanagh works as a guest service ambassador for the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, scanning tickets and greeting fans at home games and concerts. She also works at the Westmont and Downers Grove public libraries and takes a class at College of DuPage through Transition 99, a Downers Grove program that teaches life and work skills to students with special needs.

Pete Beale-DelVecchio, president and CEO of Special Olympics Illinois, said Cavanagh represents the organization's mission of athlete-led advocacy. The Darling Ducklings team has a goal of 16,000 ducks for 2026; as of late July, they had sold about 8,500.

The overall event goal is 85,000 ducks, with about one-quarter sold so far. Duck adoptions start at $10 for a single duck, with packages up to a $1,200 Diamond Duck Pack of 240. Prizes include Cubs tickets, a $2,500 cash prize, and the grand prize of a new Chevy Trax.

The Derby Festival begins at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at Pioneer Court, 401 N. Michigan Ave. Splashdown is at 1 p.m. at the Columbus Drive Bridge. Ducks can be adopted at chicagoduckyderby.com.