Two schools in Neenah named Wisconsin's only Special Olympics Unified Champions
Nov 13, 2024
NEENAH, Wis. (WFRV) - Two high schools in the Fox Valley were named Special Olympics Unified Champions, and they're the only ones in the state of Wisconsin to receive the honor.
Neenah High School and Middle School will be given the awards on Thursday at halftime at the 11th annual "Phase 1" basketball game when a team of unified athletes will take on faculty and staff.
Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity dedicates 138th home to single mother
The award is given to schools that provide an inclusive atmosphere and collaboration, engagement and respect for all students and staff.
Of the 120,000 schools nationwide eligible for the award, Neenah High School and Middle School were selected as two of 194 winners. The eligible schools come from elementary to universities as well.
According to the release, a Unified Champion School demonstrates its commitment to inclusion by meeting 10 national excellence standards.
Those primary categories include Special Olympics Unified Sports, which features teams comprised of students with and without disabilities who train together as teammates., as well as Inclusive Youth Leadership and Whole-School Engagement.
These schools also are able to prove that they're not just self-sustainable, but that they can continue these activities long-term.
Neenah also offers a variety of other unified sports, such as its Young Athletes program for children with and without disabilities from ages 2 to 10 years old. Neenah High School is one of a select few in the state that has its own Special Olympics program.
Jordan Love teams up to donate coats to Green Bay community
This is not the first time Neenah High School has received the award, as they received it in 2020. Neenah Middle School was honored with the award for the first time this year. There has never been another K-12 school in Wisconsin to receive the award.
For more information on the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools, visit their website.