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How Being Part of Unified Changed my Life BY Sophia Dottor
Being a part of the Unified Community has opened my eyes and given me a voice on a platform I feel deep in my heart. I never want anyone to feel left out or judged. I have a role and understanding of my actions as helping to create positive experiences everyday for those around me. It's time to finally break down the barriers once and for all and lead others to understand the importance of inclusive communities.
January 1st, 2019 was a day I will never forget. The energy of the crowd, the cool crisp air, and the sound of waves slowly crashing. The camaraderie felt among the classmates was electrifying. Everyone seemed to share the same common goal. I had worked vigorously to help the Unified Oakers raise money for the Rhode Island Special Olympics, but more importantly, to be able to help spread our message of inclusivity. Exceeding our fundraising goal, we were rewarded with the piercing cold water hitting our bare feet, knowing that there was no turning back.
Starting high school, I wanted to get involved and diversify who I interacted with. The Unified Oakers was the club that caught my eye. At my first meeting, the advisor stated, “Diversity is having a seat at the table, inclusion is having a voice, and belonging is having that voice be heard.” Such profound words helped me realize that this club was an opportunity to live this mission. My role freshman year allowed me to understand the vision of what it meant to belong to an inclusive school community. I realized how important inclusion is and the impact it can have on the people around you. We work extremely hard to make sure that all members of our school community have a voice and feel a sense of belonging.
Now a senior reflecting on my experiences, I have participated in numerous activities that support neurodiverse inclusion, such as the Polar Plunge where we raise money for Rhode IslandI Special Olympics. I peer mentor on our Unified volleyball team where we were Division Four Champions my sophomore year! I have traveled to all my town’s elementary schools and middle school as a leader to communicate our mission and vision. In an effort to amplify our community outreach, I developed and still manage the Unified Oakers Facebook page to promote our message of inclusion and build awareness of the positive aspects of a neurodiverse community. Isolation during distance learning was difficult for peer interaction, which resulted in me having to be creative in ways to keep providing opportunities for participation. To that end, I helped organize activities after school like pumpkin painting.. I participated in activities for weekly Zoom meetings to ensure my peers had opportunities to take part and break up some of the isolation. The inclusion movement led by Unified Oakers has evolved over my four years and made an impact on school culture at CHS. Our team is so proud that Coventry High School is being named A Unified Champion National Banner School and I am proud to say that I was an integral part.
Taking on leadership roles from freshman year to my senior year where I am the co-president has changed me for the better. I have grown into someone I have always wanted to be, someone who advocates for all students! I am an advocate; people are comfortable coming to me and sharing their thoughts and opinions. My voice speaks for myself, but more importantly strives to ask questions in the interests of all. I am a vehicle for inclusion, where people from different social groups come when they want to get involved and share and spread our message of community and diversity.
Being a part of the Unified Community has opened my eyes and given me a voice on a platform I feel deep in my heart. I never want anyone to feel left out or judged. I have a role and understanding of my actions as helping to create positive experiences everyday for those around me. It’s time to finally break down the barriers once and for all and lead others to understand the importance of inclusive communities. I am confident in the message I have passed along to others. I have found my passion and my voice as a leader in my efforts to embody a truly inclusive Oaker.