The entire school assembly Dec. 12 was dedicated to recognizing Peninsula High School’s Unified Sports Program, whose achievements reached a national level. The program featured student speakers, representatives from Washington State Special Olympics, the unveiling of the Banner Award, and a 10-minute exhibition basketball game.
The Unified Sports Program at PHS, now in its sixth year, is part of the scholastic arm of Special Olympics. PHS won the statewide competition for the Banner Award, presented to only one school each year. Qualifying schools apply for the award and must prove that they have met all 10 of its requirements. Those requirements include a self-sustaining program of more than two years, recognition by the school, schoolwide engagement opportunities, and inclusion of students with and without disabilities.
Special Olympics began publishing lists of Banner Awards in 2017, with 683 awarded to date. Over 11,000 schools have active programs in North America.
“It’s very select and hard work to achieve,” said Morgan Larche, director of Unified Schools for Washington Special Olympics.
Throughout the presentation, students spoke of friendships, fun, “having a blast,” and changing school culture. “Unified is the quick pathway to friendship and understanding,” Larche said. “Our real impact is when we experience life together.”
The Peninsula program also received ESPN Honor Roll status. ESPN reviews all the Banner schools, with recognition achieved by only one school in a state each year. The ESPN Honor Roll is a companion to the Banner Award given by Special Olympics and is further testimony that “the school is going above and beyond to make students with intellectual disabilities truly integrated, respected, and active participants with their peers without disabilities,” according to the Special Olympics website.
“Most people do not understand the grandness of this achievement; the actual number of people who have received this award is small,” said coach Jennifer Buys.
The PHS Unified Sports teams were formed in 2019. Interrupted by the COVID pandemic, the program “hit the ground running in 2021,” Buys said. The enthusiasm of the athletes and partners has led to the program's expansion to 80 members.
The PHS teams include the Unified Club, Unified homeroom, cheer team, cornhole, basketball, soccer, and track. The Unified Club and the corn hole game are two good places for students to make a beginning, Buys said.
“Include” is the operative word. Unified Sports is founded on the principles of acceptance and inclusion. Athletes with intellectual disabilities who previously did not have the opportunity to play on a sports team have found a home in Unified Sports. Partner students who love athletics have found an avenue for mentoring and personal growth in the sports arena. “There is no downside to inclusion,” said partner Josh Hinkle.
The athletes, those with intellectual disabilities, and the partners, those without disabilities, are coached by Buys and Wendy Christiansen. “The most amazing thing is that when you don’t set limits, kids will overachieve. Negative thinking is limiting,” Buys said. “The kids influence and change each other…It’s a huge family, a fun place to be seen and heard. They can have a good time without so much pressure.”
“I had just cheered for the varsity and junior varsity teams when I went to my first basketball game with Unified,” said Riley DuCharme, who is involved with Unified cheer, soccer, and track.
“I realized this was a different world, such a better environment,” she said. “Partners are able to help everyone if teams are short on partner players. It is not for one type of person; it’s for everyone, anyone, no matter where you come from. Everyone should get involved.”
Emily DuCharme, team volunteer and chair of the Peninsula School District’s Parent Advisory Board for Special Education, said, “It’s frustrating that we have to wait for high school for younger students to participate. We need to expand this to the elementary schools and the middle schools. … There are not a lot of resources in this area, and there’s not a lot of access to programs and sports for kids with special needs or any type of disabilities. So, for Unified to offer this is absolutely amazing.”
At the conclusion of the assembly, Unified students stood shoulder to shoulder at the front of the gym. All of the attendees were urged to link arms while the Unified pledge was read by Meghan Webster, student body president, volleyball, and fast-pitch softball player.
“I pledge to overcome the fear of difference, and replace it with the power of inclusion.”
The concluding words of the assembly were repeated by all: “I choose to include.”
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