In Marquette, Michigan, the first-ever Unified Sports Expo was held, bringing together 185 students from Marquette County to participate in various sports at Northern Michigan University’s Physical Education Instructional Facility. The event was organized by Special Olympics Michigan and aimed to promote movement and socialization among students.
Marquette Area Public Schools student Joy William-Johnson relished the opportunity to make new friends at the expo. She appreciated the chance to spend time with friends, talk with them, and engage in various sports and dance activities. Unified Champion Schools Coordinator Jamie Cotter emphasized the importance of the event in fostering inclusivity and acceptance among students.
The expo aimed to help students form friendships and recognize commonalities among themselves. Marquetta-Alger RESA employees collaborated with Special Olympics Michigan to introduce peer-to-peer programs like the expo to students. General education students partnered with special education student-athletes, learning valuable skills such as inclusion, acceptance, and patience.
Lily Eberhard, a mentor in a peer-to-peer class at Marquetta Senior High School, highlighted the significance of building friendships as students grow older. Eberhard is committed to being a role model and friend for students, promoting positive relationships and creating a supportive environment. Cotter expressed hopes of hosting the expo in the Superior Dome next year, continuing to foster connections and positive experiences among students in the community.
The Unified Sports Expo provided an excellent opportunity for Marquette County students to connect with their peers through sports activities that promoted teamwork, communication, and cooperation. Students were paired up with peers for volleyball games, cornhole competitions, and dance lessons at eight different stations throughout Northern Michigan University’s Physical Education Instructional Facility.
Special Olympics Michigan organized the event aiming to promote movement and socialization among students while fostering inclusivity and acceptance within their community. The expo offered general education students an opportunity to learn valuable skills such as inclusion, acceptance, and patience by partnering with special education student-athletes.
Unified Champion Schools Coordinator Jamie Cotter highlighted the importance of events like these in promoting positive relationships between general education and special education students.
Marquetta Area Public Schools student Joy William-Johnson enjoyed attending the first-ever Unified Sports Expo held in Marquette County. She appreciated spending time with her peers while engaging in various sports activities such as volleyball games, cornhole competitions, dance lessons.
The expo provided an excellent platform for young people from Marquette County to connect with their peers through fun activities that promoted teamwork, communication
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