New York State Celebrates 14 National Banner Unified Champions Schools

Marks Highest Honor for Unified Programs in the Nation

Albany, NY – Special Olympics New York President & CEO Stacey Hengsterman today announced 14 New York State schools have earned National Banner Unified Champion Schools status. This distinction marks the highest level of achievement for Unified Champion Schools in the country, recognizing their leadership in creating inclusive school communities where all students are accepted and celebrated.

The 13 new Unified Champion Schools earning this prestigious honor are the following: Western Region’s Clarence HS, Eden MS/HS, and Lancaster HS; Genesee Region’s Brockport HS; Central Region’s Cicero North Syracuse HS; Capital Region’s Bethlehem HS, Mohonasen HS, and Queensbury HS; Hudson Valley Region’s Byram Hills HS and Mamaroneck HS; and Long Island Region’s Connetquot HS, Jericho HS, and Longwood HS. In addition, Southern Tier Region’s Corning Painted Post HS renewed their banner status.

In Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools, students with and without disabilities play on the same sports teams and take physical education courses together. Students learn inclusive leadership skills and lead campaigns and activities that engage the entire school community to encourage and promote inclusion among their peers.

“Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools have set new standards for acceptance and inclusion in hundreds of schools throughout New York, and the schools we honor today are the best of the best,” said Hengsterman. “At the heart of each school’s success are the students with and without intellectual differences who have come together as teammates, friends, and leaders. Thank you, Unified Generation!”

“Throughout our state and country, Unified Champions Schools, and especially Banner Schools like these, are changing the way we think about both sports and athletes with disabilities,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “On behalf of NYSPHSAA, I’d like to congratulate all 14 of these schools on their tremendous achievement.”

A Unified Champion School receiving national banner recognition is one that has demonstrated the highest commitment to inclusion by meeting 10 standards of excellence. The standards were developed by a panel of leaders from Special Olympics and the education community nationally. The primary activities within these standards include Special Olympics Unified Sports, Inclusive Youth Leadership, and Whole-School Engagement. To achieve banner status, Unified Champion Schools must also demonstrate that they are self-sustainable or have a plan in place to continue these activities in the future. These 13 new Banner Schools bring New York’s statewide total to 57.

To get involved in Unified Sports with Special Olympics New York, visit specialolympics-ny.org/unified or email unified@nyso.org. 

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