Our schools’ own Unified club members, juniors Piper Findtner and Sophie Flicker and special education teacher Brandi Grimm will be heading to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in June to represent Oregon at this year’s Special Olympics.

The event is a global movement that provides sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. It aims to empower individuals with disabilities to get exercise, gain confidence, express themselves and experience joy through sports. It promotes inclusion, community and breaks down barriers and stereotypes, which is exactly what Unified is all about.

TuHS Unified club brings students together to do sports, activities and create a space where everyone belongs. No matter who you are, there is always room for you within Unified.

Getting to travel to another state and represent Oregon is a huge deal for these members of the TuHS community and proves just how amazing our Unified program is. Grimm shared how they were able to go to the Special Olympics.

“Our school got selected to represent Oregon because our Unified program met the criteria to be a nationally-recognized school, which helped us be a top choice school to go to the event.”

State representatives from all over the U.S who come to the Olympics all do different things. Some compete, while others engage in activities like opening ceremonies or spreading awareness on the topic of inclusion. Findtner shared what they will be doing at the Special Olympics.

“We are a part of the leadership team, so we will go and interview other players or people who are there for the event.”

Flicker shared what she is most excited to do at the Olympics.

“I am excited about interviewing the people that will be there.”

This is an exceptional opportunity for our school’s club members, and the entire Unified community is so excited about this once-in-a-lifetime chance to show other states how amazing Tualatin’s Unified program really is.