U.S. Youth Ambassador Tajha walks the halls of her high school with fellow students.
inclusion weekly

What is a Unified Champion School?

Our new series “Inclusion Weekly”, follows our U.S. Youth Ambassadors as they explain everything you need to know about Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools. 

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Jenni and Jason smiling at the camera.

Jenni’s Moment

Jenni’s younger brother Jason has Down syndrome. Growing up, Jason was one of the first students with Down syndrome ...

A youth leader points at a poster he's been working on.

Inclusion Weekly: Inclusive Youth Leadership

In collaboration with Edmodo, Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools has created a series of short videos that display our programming ...

Riley a student from Ponaganset High School, dressed in spirit gear and smiling.

Ponaganset Senior Projects

At Ponaganset High School, each senior is expected to present on a topic that has significant meaning to them. In 2019, ...

Tajha, a US Youth Ambassador from Florida smiles for the camera while standing in front of a lake.

Tajha’s Moment

Tajha Ilerant from Immokalee HS in Florida lost both of her parents at a young age. With such tragedy in ...

Sidney and Britney a Unified pair from Hawaii smile for the camera.

Be The Change

Britney and Sidney from Special Olympics Hawaii attended the Youth Leadership Experience as part of the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games ...

Two students from Ponaganset High School congratualting each other during a Unified Sports game.

Ponaganset HS: A Case Study

Ponaganset High School in Rhode Island is a great representation of what it means to be a Unified Champion Banner ...

Students from Old Bridge Paige and Bella looking at each other smiling.

Live Unified: Inclusive Youth Leadership

Inclusive Youth Leadership is one of three components of a Unified Champion School when students with and without intellectual disabilities ...

Brothers Isaac, Isaiah and Ivan Garcia are sitting on the Washington High School basketball court looking into the distance.

Washington HS: A Case Study

Washington High School is a Unified Champion School located in Phoenix, Arizona. Through Unified Sports and Inclusive Youth Leadership opportunities, ...

Loretta Claiborne smiling at the camera.

Loretta: Our Inspiration

When Loretta Claiborne was a young girl, she was isolated and worried about what her future would hold. As she ...

Two students about to high-five in a school gym.

Special Olympics Celebrates 50th Anniversary

First, Loretta Claiborne talks about her beginnings and the beginnings of Special Olympics. Second, Evan and Jay Hallberg exemplify the ...