Unified sports banquet celebrates inclusion, teamwork

Roughly 60 people, including students, coaches and family members from Buckeye Local, Indian Creek, Edison and Steubenville high schools, gathered in the fellowship hall of First Westminster Presbyterian Church for the annual Jefferson County Unified Sports banquet.

Jefferson County Unified Sports Director Tom Mort led the festivities honoring the program, which combines general education students with developmentally and intellectually disabled students on blended teams in football, basketball and track.

Since the program began, organizers said unified sports has promoted inclusion both in athletics and within the schools themselves.

Mort welcomed attendees and thanked coaches, teams and families for supporting the program during the past four years.

“We want to thank all of the coaches, all the teams, all the parents that are here and all the parents that come to the games,” Mort said. “You know what a wonderful thing that unified sports is.”

Mort reflected on memorable moments from the season, including athletes helping teammates cross finish lines and celebrating baskets and hugs shared throughout competition.

A video highlighting the year’s activities was shown during the banquet. Created by the Indian Creek High School Interactive Media Club, it featured the Turkey Bowl football game, basketball matchups at Indian Creek, Edison and Buckeye Local and the unified track meet held earlier this month at Edison with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

Mort then presented medals and awards with assistance from coaches Amber Scott of Indian Creek, Ryan Sronce of Edison and Lindsay Toth of Buckeye Local, along with Indian Creek Board Certified Behavior Analyst Michelle Duprey-Anderson.

Perseverance Awards were presented to Paxton Gorby of Indian Creek, Anthony Rohal of Edison and Logan Coe of Buckeye Local.

Graduating seniors Brayden Stewart, Kaleb Mannion, David Howell and Maddie Adams of Indian Creek and Olivia Ault of Edison received medals and red graduation cords.

Mort became emotional while reading a Facebook post written by Mannion following his final unified track meet.

“It was a fun track and field and a fun sporting event with Creek. I will miss my teammates and coaches. Thanks for giving me this opportunity to be a part of a good team,” Mannion wrote.

Additional recognition was given to Indian Creek Interactive Media teacher Johnna Provenzano, Jefferson County Educational Service Center Public Relations Coordinator Amy Gareis and Duprey-Anderson for their contributions to the program.

Students recognized included Kaden Eddy, Brennan Butcher, James Bonecutter, Halee Fish, Jaidyn Carlson, Isaac Warren and Khloe Neely from Edison; Misha Amis, Alex Fabian, Colton Dawson and cheerleaders Shayne Scott, Haylee Shaffer, Aziah Ade, Peyton Ewing and Ava Bell from Indian Creek; Xander Turner, Logan Coe, Tommy Miller, Shyla Louk, Jackson Smith, Zoey Parrish, Clayton Doty, Destanie Lewis, Chloe Leonard, Myla Dillon, Jacob Bobbish and Michael Grimm from Buckeye Local; and Nolan Suarez, Trent Green and Landon Crosier from Steubenville.

Coaches said the unified sports program has had a lasting impact on students and school communities.

“They feel included and like they are part of the school, and they are recognized by the rest of the school,” Toth said. “It’s just being a part of something.”

Sronce said the banquet gives students an opportunity to celebrate accomplishments while building friendships and family-like bonds.

Scott added that the program helps students from different schools come together.

“We all come together and it doesn’t matter what school we’re from,” Scott said. “It builds friendships, relationships and trust.”

Mort said he hopes the program continues to grow for years to come.

“This is an end-of-year celebration and it’s nice to get the kids together to celebrate their accomplishments,” Mort said. “I’m planning to be here for the 20th annual banquet.”