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The UNIFIED Movement Takes Root at CHS BY GRACE PETRARCA
It is important for every student to embody the nature of being a Unified Oaker even if an individual is not involved in the unified programs students every day still should live by the motto of an Oaker: be Open minded, Accepting, Kind, Encouraging, and Respectful.
The UNIFIED Movement Takes Root at CHS
BY GRACE PETRARCA
This year Coventry High School started its first-ever unified volleyball team. The team consisted of special needs students and their typical peers, about 30 in total, coached by Ms. McConnell, Ms. Whitlock, Ms. Papa, Ms. Garcia, Ms. Niquet and Dr. Ruffolo. The team was started as another way to include people with different athletic abilities.
The game is played like a regular volleyball match with some modifications to how the players are allowed to serve the ball and the chances they have to serve. Athletes, the special needs students, are allowed two chances to serve the ball underhand. Once the team receives the ball all the positions on the court to rotate with a new server coming in as another player exists.
Starting a new program can be challenging, the volleyball team, in particular, had some struggles at the start. A requirement of the team is that typical peers could not be playing on the regular school teams with most of the players had minimal to no prior experience. However, that did not stop the team from giving up, only their motivation to work harder.
The practice was during the academic lab. For 45 minutes every other day was all the time the team had time practice for, unlike other schools that practice after school for sometimes multiple hours. However, Coventry prevailed and therefore had to work even harder and more diligently during those 45 minutes. Throughout the season from September to November, the team faced many of the opponents that had volleyball teams with all having more experience than Coventry, but that didn’t mean Coventry gave up. Instead, they went out with great sportsmanship and energy to tackle any challenge.
Against the odds, Coventry was able to make it to the state championships on November 3rd held at Johnson and Wales University. Out of the six divisions, Coventry played in division four against Tollgate High School and won the state championships 2-1. With fellow staff members at the game, Coventry celebrated victoriously winning their first state championship with a team that started only two months prior. With the team having one championship under their belt the unified volleyball looks forward to next year’s season.
The unified volleyball team is just one of the pieces of the unification that occurs at Coventry High School. There is a unified chorus, cheerleading, and many other wonderful programs. Unified Oakers Club at our school is one of the most popular with numbers that continue to grow.
The Unified Oakers club is run by Mrs. Hoskins it is a great way to get involved in the school community. The unified movement is not just about the club but promoting unification throughout the school any and every day. To celebrate the unification in schools around the State of Rhode Island, the end of the year culminates in a Polar Plunge in March. This is where students can come out to show the utmost support for their school community while jumping into the freezing cold ocean. Rhode Island happens to be the only state in the nation where every high school has a unified program implemented, something that is worth celebrating! For more information about the Polar Plunge, Mrs. Hoskins can be contacted via email.
While students in school to spread the word of kindness and unification, it is great for students to also get involved in the unified programs in school to support kids of all different abilities. One program in particular besides the sports is Unified theater. The same reason unified sports were created unified theater is another activity for students with different abilities to participate in. This program includes typical peers possibly mentoring students with special needs, teaching them different skills about acting and the many elements of theater. For more information on how to become involved in unified theater, Dr. Ruffolo can be contacted by email.
It is important for every student to embody the nature of being a Unified Oaker even if an individual is not involved in the unified programs students every day still should live by the motto of an Oaker: be Open minded, Accepting, Kind, Encouraging, and Respectful.