New Hyde Park Memorial was recognized as a National Banner Unified Champion School for the 2024-2025 school year. This designation is awarded to schools that exhibit a high level of commitment to inclusivity by meeting ten standards of excellence which include Inclusive Youth Leadership and Whole-School Engagement. NHP is one of two schools in Nassau County that have received this recognition and it is the highest distinction for Unified Champion Schools nationwide.
Unified Sports are defined as sports teams that include students with and without disabilities. It is an official program in the New York School Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA). The underlying principle of the program is that friendship and understanding can be cultivated through training and playing in inclusive teams.
In addition to this achievement, Unified Sports of NHP have also encountered numerous successes in their games. The Unified Basketball team recently won first place at the Section 8 Basketball Tournaments.
“I felt happy and I was hugging and high-fiving my teammates; it was amazing,” Unified basketball athlete Izaiah Hester said.
To meet these standards of excellence, time commitment and hard work from athletes and coaches were required. However, effort also has to be put in by the student body. The “Whole-School Engagement” standard was fulfilled due to cheers for Unified teams on behalf of spectators at NHP home games.
“I think that the crowd cheering affects the team greatly. It makes the players feel like they are doing good and become confident. I think it is very important to have school spirit at games, because if you’re coming to support your team, they should hear you cheering from the crowd,” senior Zury Contreras said.
A standard that NHP must continue to meet as a National Banner Unified Champion School is “Self Sustainability.” In order to fulfill this standard, Unified Sports coaches have set goals for themselves and their teams.
“If selected again as coach of Unified Sports, my goal is to focus on increasing participation of both athletes and partners, fill the stands and if possible win another championship! I feel this will help to foster our schools culture of respect, acceptance and ensure that our athletes feel empowered and celebrated. It’s the gladiator way,” Unified bowling coach Ms. Phillip said.
“I think I would like to try and get more students involved. We do get a lot of the same ‘partners’ that come back repeatedly. Also to get more students to come to the games to cheer the team on and really make it like any other varsity sport, because it is,” Unified basketball coach Ms. Bocchino said.
NHP’s title as a National Banner Unified Champion School is considered a high level recognition and it is a reflection of the performance of students, athletes and coaches. The efforts put in by these parties have contributed to a more inclusive environment at NHP.
