Plum Celebrates Unified Sports Honor with Polar Plunge Fundraiser

On January 21st, Plum Senior High School hosted an end-of-day assembly celebrating PSHS’s designation as a National Banner Unified Champion School. The CEO of the Special Olympics spoke at the event, honoring PSHS students, staff, and alumni who helped earn this award. This includes PSHS’s participation in Partner model programs like Best Buddies and Unified Sports®, where students with and without disabilities train and play together on the same team, creating shared opportunities for friendship, understanding, and unforgettable memories.

“Being named a National Unified Champion School is about our kids — watching friendships grow, barriers disappear, and every student feel seen, valued, and included,” said Gina Dessell, Special Education Teacher for the Plum Borough School District.

On January 22nd, PBSD students and staff took part in the Special Olympics Polar Plunge, with the goal of raising $10,000 for Special Olympics. These team-building and community support initiatives not only foster friendships, but they also help students of all abilities understand that they truly belong.

“This is Xavier’s second year playing Unified Bocce and he has improved so much from last year, he absolutely loves it. Xavier has made so many friends, he can’t go anywhere in the school without seeing someone he knows. It makes him feel so special,” said PSHS junior Xavier Alexander’s mother, Brandi.

Stepsiblings Henry and Vanna Ricketts have also benefitted from the programs, which helped them to understand each other better, overcome their anxieties, and pursue their dreams.

“Henry wanted to play organized sports like his siblings since he was preschool age, but due to his medically fragile past, taking chances made him nervous,” said Henry’s mother, Carley. “But as he got older, he wanted to be part of his school’s athletic teams. To wear a jersey representing Plum was important to him. Last year he was able to play Bocce and participate in Track and Field alongside his sister and his best friend during their senior year. This year he hopes they make it to Hershey!”

“This experience not only helped Vanna to better understand Henry’s abilities and disabilities, but interacting with and working alongside the Special Education students gave her a much more positive outlook — and Vanna said that winning their first track meet was epic!” added Vanna’s mother, Jodi.

The benefits of Partner programs grow beyond students’ time at Plum, as the skills and confidence they develop stay with them for life.

“As a student with special needs, Eric doesn’t always get to experience the same activities as his peers, but the Unified Track Team’s support enabled him to learn the fundamentals of track and field. The most unforgettable part of our journey was senior night. Seeing Eric’s banner and walking him down the field was an amazing moment. Although Eric does not speak, his smiles during meets and practices truly reflected how much he enjoyed being part of the team,” said PSHS graduate Eric Jackson’s mother, Traci, who revealed that since leaving Plum, Eric has participated in the Monroeville Halloween 5k and even earned a medal!