Owensboro Middle School is proud to announce its designation as a Special Olympics Kentucky Unified Champion School, marking an important milestone in the school's commitment to creating a culture of inclusion, belonging, and respect for every student.
Through its partnership with Special Olympics Kentucky, Owensboro Middle School will continue developing opportunities for students with and without intellectual disabilities to learn, participate, lead, and compete together. The Unified Champion Schools program is designed to create socially inclusive school communities through three key areas: Whole School Engagement, Inclusive Youth Leadership, and Unified Sports.
“Becoming a Unified Champion School represents who we want to be as a school community,” said Alisha Ferry, Principal of Owensboro Middle School. “We want every student to know that they belong, that their contributions matter, and that there is a place for everyone to participate and lead. Our partnership with Special Olympics Kentucky gives our students meaningful opportunities to put those beliefs into action.”
As a Unified Champion School, Owensboro Middle School will provide students with opportunities to build friendships, develop leadership skills, promote acceptance, and participate in inclusive activities. Unified Sports brings students with and without intellectual disabilities together as teammates, helping break down barriers and create connections through shared experiences.
The school will also engage students in activities designed to promote awareness and inclusion throughout the school community. The OMS Ambassadors program encourages students with and without disabilities to work together to plan and lead activities that make their school more welcoming for everyone.
Owensboro Middle School looks forward to celebrating this achievement and continuing to build a school where every student is known, valued, included, and empowered to be a champion.