Marquette Celebrates Earning Special Olympics National Unified Champion School Status

Marquette High held a schoolwide celebration on Thursday, Feb. 20, to celebrate being named a Special Olympics National Unified Champion School this past fall.

Marquette welcomed in representatives from Special Olympics and the Monarch Fire Protection District, Clarkson Valley Mayor Sue McNamara -- as well as Rockwood Superintendent Dr. Curtis Cain and Board of Education and Cabinet members -- for two separate assemblies and the unveiling of its National Unified Champion School banner.

"We’re here because of you. This is a very special recognition, and it’s because of what you do as students, parents, staff and community here at Marquette," Dr. Cain said at the event. "This is an extremely special recognition, and one that you all deserve very much. All I ask is you keep being Mustang Proud and moving forward doing what you’re doing. Congratulations.”

The event included games, giveaways, basketball games and performances by the Marquette dance and cheer teams and pep band, as well as presentations by Special Olympics representatives and Marquette students about what the program means to them.

Marquette is one of only six schools in Missouri and more than 500 total recognized as a National Banner Unified Champion School by Special Olympics of North America. In addition to receiving National Banner recognition, Marquette was also named an ESPN Honor Roll Unified Champion School, a distinction that places them among the top Unified schools in the country.

"You are being recognized at the highest of high honors when receiving Unified Champion School. For context, there are more than 2,000 K-12 schools in the entire state of Missouri, and you are one of a grand total of six (Unified Champion Schools) in the entire state," said Ben Johnson, Unified Champion School manager for Special Olympics Missouri. "You all stand out so much, and it’s because of the way you treat one another. Thank you so much for everything you’re doing.”

To become a National Banner Unified Champion School, schools must meet 10 standards of excellence focusing on unified sports, inclusive youth leadership and whole-school engagement.

Unified Champion Schools promote social inclusion by bringing together young people with and without intellectual disabilities on sports teams, through inclusive student clubs, together in school or community initiatives and by fostering youth leadership. The program is about unifying all students -- with and without disabilities -- using sports as a catalyst for social inclusion and attitude and behavioral change.

Marquette includes Special Olympics events, a Best Buddies chapter and classes such as the PE Mentors/Moving Together course to bolster its status as a Unified Champion School.

"Being a Champion School means a lot. I have made lifelong best friends," said senior Landon Swanson.

"As a mentor, inclusion to me means coming together as a whole no matter who you are," added senior Paige Valchar. "As individuals, we each have our own obstacles in life. We should not be separated nor defined by those obstacles but brought together to learn from one another the unique differences of life and what it may look like for each individual. I have developed new friendships that have opened my eyes up to so many new experiences, encouraging me to embrace new perspectives. No matter what kind of day you're having, you immediately feel the love everytime you're around the kids and teachers, which makes it so special to me and the community. Being a part of this unified program has also opened my eyes up to many possible career paths, which makes me feel so honored to spend every day with the most amazing people. To all of the teachers, mentors and, most importantly, to the new students I have met, you have all become my buddies. Thank you."