This year’s annual Unified basketball game at Smithfield-Selma High School (SSS) was full of excitement, not only to watch the SSS Spartans compete with the North Johnston High School (NJHS) Panthers, but also because the school was named a Special Olympics Unified Champion School®.
To be selected as a Special Olympics Unified Champion School®, the school must demonstrate commitment to social inclusion through sport by meeting 10 standards of excellence that include offering participation in Special Olympics Unified Sports®, with the categories of Inclusive Youth Leadership, Whole-School Engagement, and Sustainability.
In 2018, SSS began the Unified Champion School programming, and in 2019, the basketball team was formed as an effort to promote Unified Sports. Each year, the high school hosts the Johnston County Special Olympics Spring games, which is an annual event offering track and field competitions for elementary, middle, and high school students.
“It is so cool that our students are recognized for their efforts at the national level. Each day, I see students working together as a team, supporting each other,” Bethany Jones, Smithfield-Selma High Extended Content Standards teacher said. “Unified has really made a positive impact at our school, and the students deserve to be celebrated.”
The school communities were out in force, along with some local and national stars. WRAL anchor and reporter Ken Smith emceed the opening of the event. Special Olympics North Carolina CEO, Keith Fishburne, was in attendance for the banner presentation.
Once the presentation ceremony concluded, the basketball game was underway, with ESPN commentator Debbie Antonelli calling the event. The gymnasium stands were packed with students, cheerleaders, and other athletes from SSS and North Johnston High School, ready to cheer on their team.
The players left it all on the hardwoods, with the SSS Spartans coming out on top with a final score of 35-17. The teams displayed the utmost sportsmanship by shaking hands after the game. Each player was then presented with a Special Olympics medal in recognition of their training and determination.