At the start of the second semester, the Unified basketball team started undefeated, triumphing over Wellington 21-18. This follows last year’s strong campaign, with Junoir Tanner’s Ashley’s strong shooting game helping the team to another win, making the team 2-0. Next week, they had an away match at Godern Eisenhower High School. They defeated them 18-8, but then a fire started halfway through the game, canceling the rest of the game. This made them 3-0 on the season and continued their strong campaign.
The first unified P.E. class and team started last year with teacher and sponsor Dawson Elliot. This year there are more students than the previous years taking the class. Seven seniors work with the students in the class as coaches/mentors helping them achieve their athletic goals with basketball, badminton, and more.
Mentor Senior Gavin Ralston is a coach and mentor in the Unified class. He likes to connect with the students and has a great time and relationship with them.
“Connecting with the kids, every day is awesome, every day is different and it’s always fun to be in the class,” Ralston said.
Senior David Sullivan, another mentor and coach, loves helping the students learn new activities and creating memorable moments.
“My favorite moment was Tanner pumping up the crowd at the first unified basketball game last year,” Sullivan said.
Senior Dalton Pankratz is another class mentor and coach. He enjoys being in class, hanging out with the students, and laughing with them.
“Being able to laugh with the kids and give them the chance to be in the spotlight is a rewarding experience that helps build their confidence and creates lasting memories,”
Pankratz said.
The unified class brings people together, allowing students to be involved with the school. It also puts the right people in the spotlight and helps students in the class learn new activities and ways to have fun and be around supporting people.
