Maine South recognized for student inclusion with national Special Olympics award

Dec. 17--Maine South High School's efforts to include students with intellectual disabilities in sports, leadership and other activities has earned the school national recognition from Special Olympics.

Students celebrated Maine South's new status as a Special Olympics National Banner Unified Champion School during last week's winter assembly, which was a demonstration in itself of how the school regularly incorporates students with special needs into activities. Current and past Special Olympics athletes from Maine South competed in a short basketball game, danced with members of Orchesis, performed cheers with the cheerleaders, and led the marching band.

"You guys are the reason why we're a Unified Champion School," declared Danny Shaughnessy, a Maine South Special Olympics athlete and assembly emcee, who led students in a "choose to include" chant and an inclusion pledge.

In the pledge, students vowed to "look for the lonely, the isolated, the left out, the challenged and the bullied," and to replace the "fear of difference" with the "power of inclusion."

Jennifer Kelso, director of youth initiatives for Special Olympics Illinois, said Maine South is one of only eight Illinois schools to have Unified Champion status.

"They are one of the most inclusive schools we have in the state and it's nice we get to finally recognize them for all of their efforts," Kelso said of Maine South.

Schools are recognized as Unified Champions based on an application process and by meeting 10 "standards of excellence," according to information provided by Special Olympics. These standards include offering unified sports programs, which combine students with and without intellectual disabilities in competitive play; including students with intellectual disabilities in advocacy, awareness and inclusion activities during the school year; and engaging the entire school community in inclusion education and awareness.

At Maine South, students compete against other schools on unified soccer and dance teams; Special Olympics athletes participate in Special Olympics Illinois competitions; the Hawk Pals inclusion club meets monthly to plan events for all students; and the school hosts a Respect Week campaign in which students are encouraged to take a pledge of inclusion.

Additionally, Maine South has over 80 "passing period pals" who volunteer to walk to class with other students and who encourage social interaction, said teacher Michelle Dwyer, Special Olympics coach and Hawk Pals sponsor.

"I think it's a true honor to have our school recognized," Dwyer said. "We have some alumni teachers that started clubs 15 years ago and this is a culmination of a lot of different classes, clubs, and sport teams really making it a unified environment here."

Maine South's partnering of intellectually disabled students with mainstream peers has led to friendships that last beyond high school, Dwyer added.

"It's all about these friendships that occur here, but continue on into college," she said. "This is being carried out into the community, into college and hopefully one day out into the workforce."

David Breen, president and CEO of Special Olympics Illinois, told Maine South students they were "making history."

"Not only is Maine South leading the state and leading the nation, but [it is] leading the world in inclusion and acceptance," Breen said, thanking the school community for "all you are doing to promote inclusion throughout the world."

A Unified Champion School banner, which will hang on the wall of the school's Spectator Gym, was unveiled during the assembly, and Maine South's Special Olympic athletes were recognized. They include Alex Battistoni, Brandon Bliznik, Drew Durnulc, Joey Figlioli; Kacper Jakubowski, Victoria Placek, Danny Shaughnessy, Brandon Tremaglio, Matthew Vanderpoel and Jacob Walczak.

The Park Ridge Police Department was also recognized for its support of Special Olympics, with officers taking part in annual fundraising efforts like the Law Enforcement Torch Run and Cop on Top, the latter of which involves officers spending time on the rooftop of a local Dunkin' Donuts.

Park Ridge police worked directly with Maine South's special needs students and Special Olympians by involving them in a citizens police academy as well.

"We will participate in any activities that we can be helpful with," said Police Chief Frank Kaminski. "It's been a great relationship with Michelle Dwyer and the students."

jjohnson@chicagotribune.com

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