Quarter 4 Highlights
We are so happy that your school joined the inclusion revolution this school year, and we can’t wait to see you back in the Fall with Whole School Engagement activities, Inclusive Youth Leadership opportunities, and Unified Sports. Have a wonderful summer!
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Component 1:
Whole School Engagement
This year's annual Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Florida was a huge success with several stops at Unified Champion Schools with students and staff cheering on law enforcement officers as they ran through their route. Each year, over 5,000 officers carry the torch on a 1500-mile relay through 67 counties in Florida to the Opening Ceremony of our annual State Summer Games. |
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Component 2:
Inclusive Youth Leadership
Unified Clubs at every school level empower students and staff to achieve Inclusive Youth Leadership skills and commit to inclusion in their communities. Wondering how to start one at your school to fulfill this component? Check out this step-by-step guide!
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More than 60 high school student leaders and faculty members turned out for the State Unified Youth Summit at ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando on May 18-19. The event featured two days filled with inclusive leadership training – conducted in collaboration with Unified Sports programs, Healthy Athletes, and State Summer Games opportunities. It was incredible to see so many youth leaders and educators commit themselves to the mission of inclusion and acceptance.
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Special Olympics Florida is proud of the Miami Dade College, Homestead Campus, for winning the Unified College Championship Week, presented by ESPN. The students completed multiple activities and displayed incredible leadership during the week's campaign.
From Unified Sports, inclusive events, and social media challenges, the group excelled throughout the Unified College Championship Week Take a look at the team's news article to follow their involvement with Special Olympics Florida.
The group also took home a gold medal in Unified soccer at the State Summer Games!
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Component 3: Unified Sports
Congratulations to all FHSAA Unified Track Teams that competed this year!
On Wednesday, May 17, 11 high schools competed at the FHSAA Track State Championships at the University of North Florida. Teams ran in the Unified 4x100 and 4x400 relays. Vero Beach High School's boys took home the gold in both the 4x100 and 4x400. Lely High School's girls took home the gold in the 4x100 relay, and Vero Beach High School's girls took home the gold in the 4x400 relay. Ft. Myers High School boys took home silver in both the 4x100 and 4x400 relays. Lely's boys took home the bronze in both the 4x100 and 4x400 relays.
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Congratulations to all FHSAA Unified Flag Football teams that competed this year!
Tavares High School and Durant High School advanced to the Division 2 FHSAA Unified Flag Football State Championships. Both teams competed hard on Saturday, April 22 at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, tying for state champions.
Vero Beach High School and Chiles High School advanced to the Division 1 FHSAA Unified Flag Football State Championships. Both teams held a very close game with Vero Beach taking the state title.
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Fifteen Special Olympics Florida athletes and Unified partners traveled to Berlin, Germany for the 2023 Special Olympics World Games, including the Unified 5v5 Basketball team from Special Olympics College Club - University of Florida. More than 200 individuals representing 46 Special Olympics U.S. Programs formed the Special Olympics USA delegation.
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Young Athletes, Little ELITES, Rising Stars, and Motor Activity Training Programs held hundreds of culminating events this Spring, celebrating their accomplishments and most importantly, having fun together. Congratulations on a wonderful year! |
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Special Olympics Camp Shriver returned to Unified Champion School, the Community School of Naples, for a second year. Supported by the school and the Naples Children & Education Foundation, the inclusive summer camp brings together young people with and without disabilities who participate in Unified camp activities alongside one another. Created by Special Olympics Founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver in the 1960s, it’s where the Special Olympics movement began.
Special Olympics Florida also offers Camp Shriver in Miami-Dade and Orange counties.
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Meet the Staff at Special Olympics Florida
We are here to assist you with your Unified Champions Schools program.
Danielle Kent, Sr. Manager, Unified Champion Schools, Health & Fitness
Jana Arnette, Manager, Unified Champion City Schools - Jacksonville & Developmental Sports Programs - Northeast Region
Silvia Calderon, Manager, Unified Champion City Schools - Miami
Angelo Cottman, Coordinator, Unified Champion Schools
Ashley Hernandez, Sr. Manager, Developmental Sports Programs - Central Region
Lindsay Jones, Manager, Developmental Sports Programs - Northwest and Northeast Region
Mary Kendle, Manager, Developmental Sports Programs - Central Region & Palm Beach
Claudia Lequerica, Manager, Unified Champion City Schools & Developmental Sports Programs - Miami-Dade
Ken Lynch, Manager, Developmental Sports Programs - Southwest
Meredith Narayanan, Sr. Director, Unified Champion Schools & Developmental Sports Programs
Mark Thompson, Director, Developmental Sports Programs - South Region
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