Students in Mead High’s Exceptional Learning program have the special opportunity to engage in many high school sports. Just like any other high school sport, students play against other schools, wear uniforms, and make strong connections. The Unified Program has connected the gap between students enrolled in Exceptional Learning courses and those in traditional courses. Student-athletes are paired with Unified-athletes who compete in sports games like basketball.
There are over 7,500 Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools in the United States. This helps schools develop leadership, diversity, and whole-school engagement.
Basketball has been a community fan favorite for Unified Sports since it began 17 years ago. Each year, MHS sets up an assembly for Unified Sports to take the spotlight. The Unified athletes take on school staff in a basketball game.
The audience is loud and spirits are high, which allow Unified members to feel the true experience of a student athlete. Patricia Govea Herrera (‘27) a Unified athlete, said that her favorite part about playing basketball was her game against the teachers.
Tevin Bullock-Hulstrom (‘28) agreed saying she challenged our staff member, coach Reese, and she thinks she will beat him.
Unified Programs not only gives students the chance to compete, but it gives them the chance of building connections through sports and living the high school life.
Lastly, Unified Sports at Mead would not be where it is today without our student helpers.
Kameryn Segura (26’) has helped in Unified sports over multiple years. Segura stated that she was always inspired to help kids feel more involved in our school and be their “comfort” person, so Unified Sports was the perfect fit for her.
Unified Sports, to Segura, gives students a reason to come to school. This is truly one of the reasons students and staff love having unified sports as a option here at MHS.
Mead High School continues to promote inclusion and spirit while giving every student a chance to shine. Programs like these have proved that sports overall don’t just improve individuals physically, but they teach people-skills and build connections.
