Number of Participants: 36
Hours Donated: 10
Value of Time Served: $3,042
Event Amount Raised: $13,000
Event Type: Children & Youth
Sport: Schools
Date: November 22, 2024
Location:
Southampton
NY, USA
About:
Southampton High School recently hosted a youth summit for Special Olympics Unified Champions schools on the east end of Long Island.
During the half-day event, led by Jessica Lodispoto and Emily Mohlin of Special Olympics, students from local school districts learned more about the importance of unified sports, inclusive leadership and whole-school engagement related to inclusion. Participants engaged in hands-on team-building activities and had the opportunity to network.
“Watching nine schools come together and develop a plan to keep growing our inclusion movement is an amazing experience, “said Brian Teney, physical education teacher. “We had educators connecting with students who learned new ways of teaching one another. Most importantly, there was a genuine feeling of care for one another.”
“It was great to hear from all the students who attended,” said Darren Phillips, athletic director. “They shared the activities and events that they are doing in their schools to foster inclusion so their peers can use those ideas in their own schools.”
The event is just one of many that Southampton hosts to lead the way in unified sports. For its efforts, Southampton High School holds an impressive National Banner status from Special Olympics New York. Southampton is one of only 36 schools in New York State to have received the designation. Southampton also raised $13,000 for the organization through its annual Polar Plunge. The district’s goal is to raise $15,000 this year.
Photo caption: Southampton High School recently hosted a youth summit for Special Olympics Unified Champions schools on the east end of Long Island.
Photo courtesy of the Southampton Union Free School District
