ESPN has announced the ESPN Honor Roll for 2019 -- a list of top 34 schools from across the country -- as part of its Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools National Recognition Program. ESPN will then reveal the five Special Olympics Unified Champion schools on Sept. 6 that will receive a national banner presentation.
The aim of Unified Champion Schools is to incorporate Special Olympics sports, leadership and related activities that empower the youth to be the agents of change in their communities. Thus, the focus shifts from the events to that of a whole school movement for inclusion. Special education and general education students -- along with educators and administrators -- are encouraged to work together to create supportive classrooms, schoolwide activities and opportunities for growth and success for all.
Top 34 schools in alphabetical order by state:
Alaska: West Anchorage High School
Arizona: Trevor G. Browne High School
Arkansas: Mena High School
California: Trabuco Hills High School
Colorado: Colorado State University
Connecticut: Pomperaug High School
Delaware: Caesar Rodney High School
Florida: Miami Southridge Senior High School
Hawaii: Waialua Elementary School
Illinois: Maine South High School
Indiana: Carmel High School
Kansas: Washburn Rural High School
Kentucky: Bullitt East High School
Maine: Hampden Academy
Maryland: Southern High School
Massachusetts: Middleborough High School
Michigan: Handy Middle School
Nebraska: Millard North Middle School
New Hampshire: Epping High School
New Jersey: Sayreville High School
New Mexico: John Baker Elementary
New York: Cheektowaga Central High School
North Carolina: David W. Butler High School
Oklahoma: Owasso High School
Oregon: Roseburg High School
Pennsylvania: Fox Chapel High School
Rhode Island: Cranston East High School
South Carolina: Meadow Glen Middle School
Texas: Hendrickson High School
Utah: Skyridge High School
Virginia: Forest Park High School
Washington: Fife High School
Wisconsin: University Wisconsin Madison
Wyoming: Cody High School