Unified Sports is an organization that engages students with and without intellectual disabilities in a number of different sports. This school has Unified teams for cheer, track and field, flag football and bocce ball. Unified Sports and Champions Together, another club participating in activities with a similar cause, raise money for the Indiana Special Olympics. This school was recently commended with National Banner Recognition for its Unified Sports teams. The continued exceptional performance the teams has led to this school regularly being awarded the National Banner Recognition within the past couple of years.

Jamie Stephen, head coach of the flag-football and track and field teams, said, “In order to get the banner you have to participate in a certain number of sports; we do all four that are offered. Then you also have to raise a certain amount of money for the Special Olympics. It shows that you’re giving back to the community as well as being a school of inclusion.”

Senior Hannah Pettee, co-captain of the flag-football and track and field teams, recently won the mental attitude award. Pette and her partner won the award for maintaining good spirit and a cheerful attitude even after losing a game. 

Senior Will McKee, co-captain of the flag-football and track and field teams, said this school’s Unified teams are the largest and most accomplished in the state. He said they go above and beyond when it comes to bringing people together and showing their support for people with disabilities. He said students at this school do a good job with getting involved with activities to better their community.

Despite their success, Stephen still acknowledged areas in which the teams could improve.

She said, “We could do better with spreading more awareness about the teams. The majority of people who know about Unified are the people that participate. Our school is so big that there are so many activities for kids to get involved in. I just think it would be great if more people knew about our club, maybe we could get people who are really interested in participating involved.”

Stephen also reflected on the importance of Unified for students with disabilities.

“Unified matters because the classroom is only one spot. You’re still expected to sit and listen in class and you don’t really get the chance to know an individual in that setting. Unified Sports and the Champions Together give an opportunity for us to actually get to know one another. This gives an opportunity for students, especially individuals with disabilities, to be able to make friendships and show people what they can do outside of an academic setting.”

Pettee and McKee said they are passionate about their time in Unified Sports, saying it gave them valuable experiences that they truly cherish.

“I’ve met a ton of new people [from Unified] and a lot of my close friends are actually from the teams I’ve played on. I’ve also gained a lot of respect for the sport in general because I’ve realized how much it brings people together,” Pettee said. “I think [participating in Unified] shows good personal morals, the fact that you want to do good and work with kids that often get ignored. It makes a big impact on their every day.”

McKee said it’s rewarding seeing the kids happy.

“It brings you joy and happiness,” he said. Doing all these events with them brightens your day. Seeing these kids in the hallway and saying hi to them. They always have a smile on their face, you never see them without one.”