By Ainsley Hall
SPRING MILLS — The second annual Unified Champion Schools bocce ball tournament took place Wednesday at Spring Mills High School.
Students from Spring Mills High School, Martinsburg High School, Musselman High School, Hedgesville High School and Jefferson High School all came together to create a fun event for special-needs students in both Berkeley and Jefferson counties.
The tournament started last year in partnership with Special Olympics West Virginia. The event is designed to give special-needs students the chance to play a sport, hang out with friends and have fun.
Terri Hickerson, parent resource and technology support with Berkeley County Schools, talked about how many of the students practice for weeks leading up to the tournament for a day full of fun competition. They work alongside students without disabilities to compete in the tournament.
“It’s true inclusion,” Hickerson said. “These kids aren’t just coming to help. They are friends; they are a team. It also gives students the chance to build relationships with other schools and meet new people.”
This year, Jefferson High School joined the event for the first time. Haley Kern, parent and educator resource coordinator with Jefferson County Schools, was excited for JCS to get involved and hopes to get Washington High School to join next year.
“Part of the beauty of this event is the opportunity to interact with other schools,” Kern said. “Community isn’t just who is in your school or district. This event brings everyone together.”
Kayla Hudson, director of Unified Champion Schools, was excited to see all the students having fun and getting the opportunity they wouldn’t normally have. Many students with special needs don’t get the opportunity to participate in sports, and the bocce ball tournament creates a judgement-free place where they can be themselves.
“This has been awesome, and it’s so cool to see schools come together for something like this,” Hudson said. “Berkeley County is top tier. We couldn’t have asked for a better county to lead this program throughout the state.”
Bria Savage, an 11th-grade student at Jefferson High School, came with her sister, Alexa, to play in the tournament. Bria is passionate about this program, because it gives more opportunities to people like her sister.
“It’s great, because normally, special education students are sectioned off from the rest of the students,” Savage said. “This gives them a chance to be with other students and also gives other students the chance to connect and really learn about inclusivity.”
Musselman High School won first place in the tournament. The students were all excited to celebrate their victory and share their joy with the rest of their school.