Four Lee schools named National Banner Unified Champions

Oct 26, 2023 By MEGHAN BRADBURY 5 min read

Three Lee County School District high schools and one middle school have been selected as 2023 Special Olympics National Banner Unified Champion Schools.

Schools that are a National Banner Unified Champion school demonstrate their commitment to inclusion by meeting 10 standards of excellence, which includes Special Olympics Unified Sports, inclusive youth leadership and whole school engagement. Schools must reapply for banner status every four years to ensure that the 10 standards are continuously being met.

Cape Coral High School, Lehigh Senior High School and Lehigh Acres Middle School received their first national banner, while North Fort Myers High School was awarded its second national banner. North Fort Myers High was first honored in 2019.

Both Mariner High School and Fort Myers High School were honored in 2022 as Special Olympics National Banner Unified Champion Schools. They can reapply in 2026.

“North Fort Myers High School is honored to receive recognition as being a Special Olympics National Unified Champion School,” North’s director of Athletics and Activities Joe Bowen said in a prepared statement. “Having been recognized in 2019 and again in 2023, it demonstrates the continued commitment to inclusive practices involving all students in our Red Knight student body. Students with and without disabilities train and compete as teammates and work together to participate in activities including Unified bowling, basketball, and track, along with the Un-Knighted Club and Student Government Association. We are proud of our students and staff.”

There were only 16 schools in Florida who achieved this status and 205 in the United States.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have been honored as a Special Olympics National Banner School,” Cape Coral High School Unified Sports Coordinator Dr. Rob Gamache said in a prepared statement. “This achievement holds special significance for us, as it not only acknowledges the outstanding efforts of our Special Olympics athletes but also underscores the culture of inclusivity we have fostered here at Cape High. This accomplishment serves as a true testament to the dedication and unwavering commitment to inclusivity for all students that permeates our school’s ethos.”

Gamache said they are very excited about the award, as well as very appreciative of all the support.

“We could not have done this without all the support from the school community and district. This is really reflective of the work that a lot of Cape High has been doing for a few years,” he said.

Gamache said to reach the National Banner level they have to show they have inclusion programs developed at the school both for sports and beyond. Among some of those include a Best Buddies program where general education students and special education students do activities together. There are currently between 30 to 40 students involved in the Best Buddies program.

As far as sports, Gamache said they have a basketball team where there is a mixture of students with different abilities demonstrating true unification.

This is the first time Cape Coral High School has received the National Banner Unified Champion Schools status. He said last year he reached out to Mariner High School to collect tips on how to reach this level.

“Overall, the totality of inclusive experience is how we achieve the National Banner status,” Gamache said.

On Friday, Nov. 3, the National Banner will be unveiled with special representatives, as well as a unified basketball game against Mariner High School. He said the two teams will break bread and eat together.

“We are expecting to have a fun day that day,” Gamache said.

As an ESE teacher and coach for many years, it only made sense to combine the two things he is personally passionate about.

“The kids are so much fun to work with. I experienced it as a support person at Mariner. I always left feeling so good about life. Everyone else had the same feeling. When I came to Cape a few years ago I wanted to start our own program. It’s exciting to see the work pay off,” Gamache said.

The opportunity to see the relationships between students in general education and special education grow and carry throughout the year is empowering for both students.

“It’s really my main driving force. I really enjoy seeing that,” he said.

Lehigh Senior High School ESE teacher Michelle Smith said receiving the National Banner Unified Champion Schools award is a huge honor and accomplishment that has taken many staff and students to come together to achieve.

“We want to continue to keep improving on this mission of inclusion,” she said.

In addition to having a Best Buddies Club, which has about 30 students on a regular basis, Lehigh Senior also offers seven unified sports — bowling, basketball, flag football, community soccer, track and field and community cornhole.

Smith said she works with two others for unified sports, which includes Chelly Ramon and Kendris Mathews.

“Most of our teams have anywhere between five to 12 participants. It’s a great opportunity for the students to come together of different abilities and coach each other,” Smith said. “Through this I have seen general education students grow in acceptance and leadership and becoming mentors and partners with the students of special needs.”

Students who have special needs are also growing, as they are not as quiet, offering inspiration to the rest of the team before a competition.

“These kids are so amazing,” Smith said, adding that it is an outlet and opportunity “to show how amazing they are and for the world to see how amazing they are.”

The hope is to inspire others in her field, so they too can make these opportunities happen for their students.

“We are the only school in the East Zone doing this at this level. I would love to see other schools jump on board,” Smith said, adding that she is here ready and willing to share her knowledge with others.

During a pep rally for homecoming Thursday afternoon, a celebration was held for the National Banner Unified Champion Schools recognition.

To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com