Special Olympics North America has chosen FHS to receive an award for inclusion during the 2018-2019 school year. National banner recognition has been given to 14 Indiana high schools.

The award is given to schools that make an extra effort to include students with and without intellectual disabilities in different types of activities during the school year. This fall, FHS will receive a banner to hang in the school.

Unified Champion Schools is a program created by a partnership of the Special Olympics and IHSAA. The program led to Unified Track and Field and Unified Flag Football to be officially sanctioned IHSAA sports.

The Fishers Unified Track and Field team went to the state tournament this past year. The team placed 6th in the state.

Champions Together is planning to add more unified sports this year. Emerson Chapple is involved in Champions Together and she believes that every sport should have a unified team. According to Chapple, kids that do Unified Track are also interested in many other sports.

“It’s great because everyone can participate.” said Unified Track member Kassi Whalen “There’s not any cuts, so everybody gets a chance to race.”

“Unified sports are a great way to promote inclusivity,” said Chapple “Unified Track is absolutely my favorite part of the school year.”