Iola High School has been chosen as one of ESPN’s Honor Roll Top 25 Schools out of 8,000 Unified Champion Schools across America.
A Unified Champion School receiving national banner recognition is one that has demonstrated commitment to inclusion by meeting 10 national standards of excellence. These standards were developed by a national panel of leaders from the Special Olympics and the education community.
It is a program offered through Special Olympics that partners Special Olympics athletes and their non-disabiled peers to participate and compete together in different sporting events throughout the school year. This is the school’s fourth year of doing this program at Iola.
“If you see any of these students please congratulate them on this huge honor! We are so proud of our team, school, and community for becoming parts of the Inclusion Revolution,” said Iola coach Ann Bates.
The team members include athletes Xavior Burrow, Gavin Doolittle, Kaden Priddy, Guilis Pina, Kyle Schmidt, Mason Silvey and Jaden Smith. The peer buddies are Kyndal Bycroft, Reese Curry, Stephanie Fees, Shaun McLaughlin, Zach Pfaff and Marlee Westhoff.
