Special Olympics Unified Schools is a program that has brought immense positive change to students of different backgrounds across the United States. According to the Special Olympics Minnesota website, it has “an education and sports based strategy powered by an engaged youth community. The program aims to increase athletic and leadership opportunities for students with and without intellectual disabilities, while creating inclusive school communities.”
Orono High School is one of many high schools around the nation that has organized a Unified program. Starting in the 2012-2013 school year with unified basketball, the program has since multiplied in size and grown to include flag football, bowling, soccer, and track and field. It serves students and athletes of all ages, ranging from high schoolers in the Unified Club, Unified Juniors for 3rd to 5th graders, and Young Athletes for ages 2-7. The program is student driven from running the club and programs to being coaches, managers, and partners on the sports field. The funds to support the program are from fundraising initiatives including Unified Dance Marathon, Polar Plunge, and BE KIND t-shirts.
Michelle Swenson, a calculus teacher at Orono, currently leads the program and has watched it radically transform the lives of students and the dynamic of the student body. "My goal and hope for Orono Unified is that the program gives all students a place to belong and teaches students to accept and to understand one another. The program changes the lives of all of those involved for the better, and I get a front row seat to the friendships that are forming on and off the field between individuals that, without this program, may have never been friends. I’m so proud of all the changes that unified students past and present have made in our school district. They constantly spread the message of acceptance and inclusion, and they work towards keeping that message moving forward every year. When given the opportunity to be leaders and to make positive changes, they exceed my expectations every year. It’s amazing, when given the opportunity, what the younger generation is capable of doing. They are, in the words of Special Olympics, “game-changers.” After all, how boring would this place be if we were all the same. Our differences are what makes each one of us special, and I am honored to be a part of this movement in Orono."
The recognition of the success and impact of Orono Unified has extended well beyond the walls of Orono High School. Recently, the kids received the groundbreaking news that Orono Unified has been selected to compete at the USA Games in Seattle next July! The team will be staying in the Olympic Village, will walk in Opening Ceremonies, and will compete at a national level while representing Minnesota. It is a tremendous accomplishment for Orono Unified and the experience the kids will have is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Memorably, it is also the 50th anniversary of Special Olympics in 2018, so there couldn't be a better time to attend and compete in the USA Games. More information about this opportunity can be found on www.specialolympicsusagames.org.
As previously mentioned, Orono Unified relies on fundraising and donations to fund the activities and costs associated with the program. Donations to support Orono Unified can be made here. Donating to Orono Unified means much more than helping to make their trip to Seattle possible. It means supporting the continuation of inclusivity at Orono and beyond for years to come.
Jacob's favorite Unified memory is playing a football game at the Vikings practice facility! Throughout his experiences with Unified, he has loved meeting new friends who look out for him, and getting to be a part of such a fun group!
Pierce couldn't be more proud of his team for getting selected to compete in Seattle. His favorite part about Unified is the friendships that he has formed, and becoming a better, stronger athlete. He hopes Unified will grow even more and include more sports!
"I just want to stay involved with Unified after high school, whether that be in college or later in life. I’ve realized that this a passion of mine and want to help other people see how life changing Unified really is." - Thomas
Natalie has loved seeing and feeling the excitement of people of all kinds coming together, enjoying each other's company, and accomplishing goals together.
Unified has a strong impact on partners. After experiencing Unified, Bobby hopes to spread inclusion in college and at his future workplace.
Meet Amelie, who has been involved with the program for several years. Her favorite part about Unified is all the friendships that she has made.
"Unified has impacted my life more than I can put into words. Without question it’s opened my eyes to the incredible ABILITIES that these athletes have; their ability to make true, genuine friendships, maintain a positive attitude regardless of the score, and continue to battle adversity is truly inspiring. However, I think people often neglect the ways in which Unified activities change us partners/coaches. These athletes show us how to be better versions of ourselves in every way." - Coach Hank
Aaron's favorite part about Unified is how he gets to be a starting quarterback and point guard. Unified has helped him discover his goal of becoming a professional athlete.
Kira loves the opportunity to hang out with her friends through Unified. She says that the program has taught her how to speak up for herself. One of her goals for the future is to tell the whole world to be unified!
"My goal for the future is to continue working with Unified programs, whether it be in elementary schools, high schools, or colleges and continue helping increase the acceptance of people with disabilities in both the educational setting and society." - Coach Hannah
"Unified has done a lot for me. The main ways that is has impacted me are that it has made me aware of what the athletes face and how much they deserve to feel included. Going into Unified I did not know much about it. All I knew is that I had some friends in it, there were some pretty amazing senior leaders heading it up, and that Mrs. Swenson (I’m her favorite student), was the director of it. Little did I know that this was one of the best decisions of my life. Unified has changed me into a man that fights for unity for not only the athletes, but all groups of people who do not receive the equal treatment they deserve." - Will
"Unified has impacted my life because I have created relationships with students and athletes that I would probably not have created. It has also changed my life because I now have a different view on what it really means to be inclusive." - Sam
Michelle Swenson - Orono Unified leader & calculus teacher