The unified champion school program has been a huge success so far for Wayne Schools.

“We have 43 unified partners and nine Special Olympics Athletes,” said Special Education Teacher JoHannah Daugherty.

Each month the program at Wayne holds leadership meetings with unified partners and athletes where they discuss how to build an inclusive school, as well as talk about challenges, and upcoming activities.

“We also take part in monthly challenges to build whole school engagement. On top of those things, we also do unified PE each day and hold Special Olympic practices,” she said.

Wayne athletes recently competed in their first competition of the season and did an incredible job.

“Each of our athletes did individual basketball skills for the winter sport. As a team we brought home several first and second place ribbons. Our next competition is winter games, where our team will compete at the state level for individual basketball skills. This spring we are planning to compete in unified corn hole and bocce,” she confirmed.

The unified champion schools program has helped Wayne Students do many things this year.

“Our most successful opportunity for the athletes and unified partners has been the Bulldog Bean. The Bulldog Bean is our school coffee cart where our athletes get to go and take orders from staff every Friday and then help prepare the drinks and deliver them. In this program, our partners get to assist our athletes each week with the coffee cart. The coffee cart has been an incredible opportunity for our program and students as it helps foster independence, job skills, and social skills, all while building friendships amongst unified partners and athletes,” Daugherty said.

The program has brought many things to students this year, all while learning about including others. Each day students show an interest in being a part of the program or finding a way to get more involved.

“As the school year continues we plan to hold a unified livestock show, compete in monthly challenges, play in unified sports, continue to build up the Bulldog Bean program and many other opportunities that will come our way,” she concluded.