LINCOLNTON – It was a basketball game like no other held at Lincolnton High School. It was unified to the core. It is likely safe to say that it’s unlikely that there was louder cheering or more smiling at any other game held in the Lincolnton High School gym. Students cheered and danced in their seats as the players ran up and down the court – exceptional students who attend Lincolnton High School as well as those from the regular population all took part.
“Kirk Herbertson serves as a community representative on our Exceptional Children's Roundtable Committee that meets regularly to share ideas,” Janna Bourbeau Carr, from the Lincoln County Adapted Physical Education Department said. “He shared a unified event that was held at his high school alma mater similar to the event that is taking place today. Kirk expressed his desire to see a unified event similar here in Lincoln County. The information was well received, and the committee decided to run with it. Since then Kirk has contributed his time and ideas to the planning process and event practices. The Lincolnton High School Unified Club have also been active participants in the planning process.”
The Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program is aimed at promoting social inclusion through intentionally planned and implemented activities affecting systems-wide change, Carr explained. With sports as the foundation, the three-component model offers a unique combination of effective activities that equip young people with tools and training to create sports, classroom, and school climates of acceptance. These are school climates where students with disabilities feel welcome and are routinely included in, and feel a part of, all activities, opportunities and functions.
“This is accomplished by implementing inclusive sports, inclusive youth leadership opportunities, and whole school engagement,” she said. “The program is designed to be woven into the fabric of the school, enhancing current efforts and providing rich opportunities that lead to meaningful change in creating a socially inclusive school that supports and engages all learners. What a Unified Champion School looks like can vary greatly from school to school, based on the needs, goals, schedules and other factors unique to each school, but the basic building blocks remain the same.”
Throughout the beginning week of March, Lincolnton High School had a Spread the Word to End the Word week, sponsored by the Unified Champions Club, where students at Lincolnton High School took a pledge to be inclusive of all students and understand that diversity is a gift at Lincolnton High School and in the community.
“When we meet for the Unified Event, we will share a segment about our experiences during this special week and a few students will speak on the importance of ending the use of inappropriate stereotypes and spreading the love,” Carr said. “Unified Champions at Lincolnton High School are led by Renee Smith and she has been in that position for years.”
Carr been working in the Lincoln County Adapted Physical Education Department for six years.
“It’s rewarding in every aspect, mostly the love and joy students give me is my motivation,” she said. “It’s more than just teaching PE, it is being a part of a family, these students don’t even know how to have a bad day so in turn that opens my eyes to yes, everyday can absolutely be good and fun. Judging by the emotion I’ve felt at our practices, I knew I’d never be able to describe the feeling the actual game will give me. To see all of these students come together and help one another in unique ways melts my heart and restores my faith in our community and school. Be kind to all, and these students have embodied that phrase and it’s amazing to see it lived out in each of them through this fun event.”
The Unified Basketball Game and Cheerleading Event took students from the regular education population and grouped them together with students from the exceptional children’s program at Lincolnton High School to form a cheerleading squad and two basketball teams. Both basketball teams were led by student coaches and the game was refereed by student refs. The entire Lincolnton High School student population came to event and rallied around the athletes who stole the spotlight.
The LHS JV cheer squad and coach, Kathy Bosiak prepared the girls and guys for the event, teaching them multiple cheers and dances to showcase. The JV cheer squad also made bows and headbands for our Cheerleaders and “blinged” their shirts to make them stand out.
Carr gathered volunteers to help with every aspect of the event. She planned practices and had planning meetings to ensure that every detail was taken care of.
“I want to thank everyone who has helped in making this happen, including the Lincolnton Recreation Department and all others mentioned,” she said. “Varsity basketball game announcer, Tony Smith, volunteered his time to see that this unified basketball game is equally as important as any other athletic event at Lincolnton High School. The Lincolnton High School drumline, led by Band Director William Fisher, played during breaks and for our cheerleaders to dance to. The half time performance is "Go Bananas" performed by the drumline and cheerleaders.”
T-shirts were designed by a student in the Exceptional Children’s Program at Lincolnton Middle School and the design was brought to life on our Lincolnton "Gold" shirts by Mike Hopkins at Gametime Imagewear.
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