Newsletter- Unified Champion Schools

May Newsletter

We’re kicking off the final stretch of the school year with incredible momentum! With 523 Unified Champion Schools programs in 2024-25, the energy across Florida is unmatched. From statewide culminating events and FHSAA Unified Sports competitions to our much-anticipated Youth Summit at UCF this May, it’s a season full of celebration, inclusion, and impact. Thank you for continuing to help us build a stronger, more unified future: one game, one campaign, one school at a time.

The Letter of Intent for next year has officially been sent out!

If your school would like to join the 2025–26 Unified Champion Schools program, please fill out the form below to get registered:

Unified Champion School eLetter of Intent 25/26 School Year

Unified Champion Schools Dashboard

Thank you for sharing your wonderful events so far this school year. As a reminder, we want to hear from you. Please share an inspiring story, achievement, or photo from your program, and you could be featured in our next newsletter. Fill out this Photo and Story Highlight Form or visit our Unified Champion Schools dashboard.

Love Grove Elementary

Spread the Word for Inclusion was a day full of love, kindness, and fun. ESE students Janessa and Rikeena kicked things off with Principal Kimball during morning announcements, sharing the meaning of inclusion with the whole school. Students and staff enjoyed an inclusion-themed photo booth, signed pledges in the cafeteria, and picked up stickers and wristbands. Everyone also added their handprints to a colorful poster symbolizing their commitment to kindness. Ms. Villar and Ms. Travis’s Unified classes wrapped up the day with games and fun facts about inclusion. It was a joyful celebration of unity and acceptance throughout the school!

Lakewood Park Elementary

Building awareness through learning and action in the days leading up to the Awareness Walk, our media specialist shared videos and read books that taught students about the history and impact of Special Olympics. Each student created a poster featuring the Special Olympics Athlete Oath, which they proudly carried during the walk. The entire school came together to learn, reflect, and celebrate the spirit of inclusion and unity through Special Olympics.

Heritage Elementary

Our entire school came together to celebrate the Inclusion Matters campaign. Students decorated shamrocks with their personal definitions of inclusion and created posters featuring our athletes, which were displayed throughout the campus. Our guidance counselor also led “We Are All Different” lessons in every grade level, helping students embrace and celebrate what makes each of us unique.

Gulf High School

The school celebrated inclusion in a big way. A live DJ kept the energy high during both lunches, and students had a blast dancing, connecting, and showing their support. This year, we proudly collected the most signatures ever on our Inclusion banner—a powerful sign of our school’s commitment to unity and acceptance.

Component 1:

Whole School Engagement

We saw countless incredible on-campus campaigns celebrating Spread the Word. Great job to everyone who participated. One standout moment came from Tyler Cheshire, who performed an original song and drum solo focused on ending the R-word. [Watch the video: Tyler.MP4]

As we gear up for the final weeks of school, let’s keep the energy high and the stands packed and celebrating your students' achievements every step of the way!

Component 2:

Inclusive Youth Leadership

Youth Summit: Superheroes – Inclusion in Action

On May 30–31, student leaders from across Florida will unite at UCF for a dynamic two-day Youth Summit focused on turning inclusion from idea to impact. The event will be hosted by Florida’s first-ever U.S. Youth Ambassador Unified Pair, Tyler & Brianna from Durant High School, who will guide participants through engaging discussions and breakout activities.

Key speakers include Meghan McLean, who will offer a warm welcome on behalf of Special Olympics Florida, followed by a powerful keynote from Ray Roberts of Special Olympics North America, setting the tone for a weekend of empowerment and action. This summit represents the spirit of unified leadership, bringing together athletes, partners, and educators in a shared mission of inclusion.

Component 3: Unified Sports

The Future is Inclusion.

We had an incredible season with FHSAA and Unified Sports across the state this year. Our programs continue to grow, especially with the expansion of league play through our exciting partnerships with Florida Club League Soccer and the Miami Dolphins. We also want to take a moment to celebrate the amazing athletes, partners, coaches, and volunteers who make this all possible. Below are the results from this year’s competitions:

FHSAA Unified Tennis State Championship