Special Olympics New York has announced that Hoosick Falls Central School (HFCS) is 1 of 13 New York schools receiving National Banner Recognition for their Special Olympics Unified Champion School® programming. This distinguished status is a result of HFCS meeting 10 national standards of excellence in the areas of inclusion, advocacy, and respect, while providing inclusive sports and activities for students with and without intellectual disabilities. These standards were developed by a national panel of leaders from the Special Olympics and the education community.
The primary activities within these standards include Special Olympics Unified Sports® where students with and without disabilities train and compete as teammates, inclusive youth leadership, and whole school engagement. National banner schools should also demonstrate they are self-sustainable or have a plan in place to sustain these activities into the future.
Special Olympics New York President & CEO Stacey Hengsterman stated that, “Our Special Olympics Unified Champion Banner Schools are some of the best and brightest havens for inclusion not just in our state, but throughout our country. It’s our honor to recognize them for all they’ve done, and all they’ll continue to do.”
HFCS is home to a Unified Basketball Team, which won the Basketball Championship in 2023 & 2024. They also offer a Unified Bowling Team, participate in the Special Olympics Polar Plunge in Lake George and the Dagen Truck Pull. New for the 2024-2025 school year, they are adding a Unified Bocce Team!
HFCS Special Education Teacher, Kelli Grennan, applied on behalf of the school for this recognition, and is also the Advisor for the Youth Activation Committee, called Inclusion Fusion, and is a Unified Sports Coach. She gives all the credit to the students, who make these programs possible. Grennan said that she has “Never been so proud to be a part of something and it takes a village, athletes, partners, community members, parents, teachers, assistants… the list goes on. It would not be possible without a unity of everyone!” Grennan also shared a quote from a community member that attended Unified games last year.
“I cannot fully explain nor did I anticipate the sensation of being in the alley or gym for a Unified Sports bowling or basketball game. At HFCS it is the definition of sport and joy combined. There is fierce competition, unmatched sportsmanship, generosity of spirit and something given/experienced that cannot be conveyed in words but felt through emotion. If you have the time to become a part of it; you become a part of it.”
The Unified Champion Schools® model is a strategy for schools Pre-K through university that intentionally promotes meaningful social inclusion by bringing together students with and without intellectual disabilities to create accepting school environments, utilizing three interconnected components: Unified Sports, inclusive youth leadership, and whole school engagement. As many as 16 million young people are taking part in inclusive experiences through the Special Olympics.
Special Olympics New York is one of the largest state chapters in the country, serving more than 45,000 athletes across New York with year-round sports training, athletic competition, and health screenings. Statewide, 340 schools are currently participating in Unified Champion Schools® programming in NY, as part of 10,000 schools across the country. For additional information about Special Olympics New York, or to learn more about getting involved, visit www.specialolympicsNY.org.