Buckeye aiming to create inclusive environment in third year of Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program

YORK TWP. — Buckeye High School students took a pledge of inclusion and played games with their peers during the district's third annual kickoff for its Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program on Friday. Unified Champion Schools aims to create an inclusive school environment for students with and without disabilities through unified sports, inclusive youth leadership and whole school engagement. "We're promoting dignity, respect and inclusion for all students within our school community, so that way everyone feels part of the Buckeye community," Buckeye's program coordinator Rachel Supan said. Peer leaders connect with students who have disabilities through sports. She said there are 14 athletes and around 30 peer leaders this year, and there has been a lot of participation from the whole student body as well. "This program is really showcasing the amazing students and staff that we have here at Buckeye," Supan said. "The amount of support that we're given to be able to plan events and incorporate Unified into other aspects of not only the school but the community, shows Buckeye really is a great place to be." Emma Bostic is a senior at Buckeye and has been involved in Unified Champion Schools since it started in the district. She said the program has grown in the number of sports offered and in the awareness students have of it. "Now it's such a huge thing, and everyone at school knows what it is," she said. "When we host games here, the crowd is so full, and the kids are so happy. We do basketball, football and track now." Bostic said that being part of the program makes her feel happy. "When we have big basketball games, and they make a bucket and the crowd goes crazy, it literally fills me with joy," she said. "Seeing all the students and athletes freaking out, and the crowd screaming fills my heart. It's amazing, and I love seeing it." Friday's kickoff event allowed freshmen to learn more about the program and gave athletes the chance to meet other people, Bostic said. She hopes Unified Champion Schools will get even more recognition this year. "I want Unified to be a big thing, not just a school thing or a club to be in, but to be recognized all around the world," she said. "It gives the kids that don't have a chance to play in a normal game to have that kind of recognition." So far, Buckeye participants have played in one flag football event and will do another one on Oct. 9 at Highland High School, Supan said. Buckeye will also host Unified Champion Schools basketball later this school year. "I want to keep spreading awareness about what Unified is and make it better every single year," she said. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.