Unified Sports Recreation Program Launches at WEHS
Posted on 02/15/2025
West Essex High School kicked off an exciting new chapter in school spirit and inclusivity with the launch of its Unified Sports Recreation program. To celebrate the beginning of this initiative, the school hosted its first-ever event: a Tie-Dye T-Shirt Social on January 29th.
Unified Sports, a key program of Special Olympics, is an inclusive sports initiative that brings together students with and without intellectual disabilities to compete on the same team. Through this partnership, athletes and partners train together, break down barriers, and foster a sense of community, respect, and friendship. The program is designed to promote social inclusion, where teamwork and shared experiences create a deeper understanding and connection among all participants. Unified Sports empowers individuals to reach their full potential, regardless of ability, and helps build a more inclusive and supportive school environment.
Director of Special Services, Dr. McQuaid, Mr. Cappello and Ms. Ayres worked closely with Carly Levitt, student representative, to plan for events this school year with a team of volunteers.
Dr. McQuiad said the following: “On behalf of all our West Essex Unified Sports Recreation and Interest volunteers, we strive to create events that celebrate our differences and foster acceptance, bringing students together to promote social inclusion. By pairing students with and without intellectual disabilities, we aim to spark friendships, build understanding, and strengthen connections through teamwork and shared experiences.”
This Tie-Dye Social Event will be the first of many upcoming events designed to encourage socialization and awareness of Unified Sports, which includes a variety of recreational activities where students of all abilities can participate together. Stay tuned and be on the lookout for our Unified Bowling and district wide Kickball Interest events coming this spring!
Stay tuned for upcoming dates!