Dartmouth unified team receives national recognition for third time in a row
Choose To Include Banner on display with whole school. Source: Janet White of Mare Studios
Hayden Barriteau dribbles past Deputy Chief Morency. Source: Janet White of Mare Studios
Kyleigh Fredette celebrates with Andrew Camara. Source: Janet White of Mare Studios
Tatiana Carson plays great defense on Officer Tavares. Source: Janet White of Mare Studios
Brayden Stone attempts a shot with the help of Braelin Martin. Source: Janet White of Mare Studios
Christina Taylor shoots with teammate Kayden Silva nearby. Source: Janet White of Mare Studios
Choose To Include Banner on display with whole school. Source: Janet White of Mare Studios
Hayden Barriteau dribbles past Deputy Chief Morency. Source: Janet White of Mare Studios
Kyleigh Fredette celebrates with Andrew Camara. Source: Janet White of Mare Studios
Tatiana Carson plays great defense on Officer Tavares. Source: Janet White of Mare Studios
Brayden Stone attempts a shot with the help of Braelin Martin. Source: Janet White of Mare Studios
Christina Taylor shoots with teammate Kayden Silva nearby. Source: Janet White of Mare Studios
The Dartmouth High School unified sports program received its third Unified Champions National Banner Recognition.
“This is really meaningful and obviously shows the type of culture that we have here in the Dartmouth public schools,” said John Breault, the coach of the unified program.
This recognition is given every four years. Dartmouth’s unified program started around 15 years ago, meaning the program has received a Banner Recognition almost year they could.
“It started as three or four of us staff members that kind of were continuously involved and wanted to see unified offerings grow,” said Breault, “And now there are so many teachers and coaches that are involved, and that’s the fun part.”
This year, Dartmouth was one of 17 schools in the state to receive the recognition. According to a representative from the Special Olympics, they are one of only three schools in the state that have received a Banner Recognition three times.
To qualify, the school must meet all of 12 standards laid out by Special Olympics Unified Sports, up from 10 the last time Dartmouth applied. These include having unified offerings at multiple points in the year, offering full school events and more.
To celebrate the accomplishment, the team held a pep rally on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The school got together to watch the unified team face off against the Dartmouth Police Department.
“It was really great to see … our entire school there to be there to cheer on our unified athletes,” said Caitlin McCarron-Deely, another unified coach.
She added that the police were good sports, helping to put on a good show. The cheer team was there to encourage the pep in the crowd.
One of the athletes, Helena, has been working to make a three-pointer all season. She finally made the shot during the pep rally, and McCarron-Deely stated “...the crowd completely erupted."
At the end, there was free swag from the Special Olympics, such as tee-shirts, foam fingers, towels and bracelets.
“It was such a fun event and the entire school really, really enjoyed it,” said McCarron-Deely.
She added, “It’s the school community that continues to allow us to have this culture of inclusivity and [acceptance.] And it’s really special to see it continue.”
