Sondra Hernandez Staff writer October 22, 2024

Through the Unified Sports program at Conroe’s Peet Junior High, seventh-and-eighth-grade students are learning when they work together they are more alike than different. 

The program is a part the nationwide initiative of Special Olympics that is dedicated to promoting social inclusion through shared sports training and competition experiences.

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“Unified Sports joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. It was inspired by a simple principle — training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding,” according to information about the program from Special Olympics. “Teams are made up of people of similar age and ability. That makes practices more fun and games more challenging and exciting for all. Having sport in common is just one more way that preconceptions and false ideas are swept away.”

Positive changes on campus

Peet is participating in Unified Sports for the second school year and principal Chris Kuempel already sees many positive changes on campus. 

“Our everyday kids are understanding that while we all have our differences, we’re all human beings and are alike in some way, shape or form. This is creating a more inclusive and accepting environment,” he said. “Seeing them interact and the smiles on some of the special needs children has been amazing.” 

Each Friday they have Unified Sports lunch buddies tables and there are also unified teams for cheer, choir, basketball, soccer and dance team with track and field coming in the spring. 

Counselor Andrew Egnor worked with three Unified Sports programs while teaching in New Jersey before coming to Conroe. According to Special Olympics information, the program is in more than 8,300 schools across the United States. The age range is elementary to high school. 

When Egnor came to Conroe for the 2023-24 school year Kuempel gave the approval to include the program at Peet. 

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Expanding the program

In Conroe ISD, other schools participating include The Woodlands High School and Moorhead, Knox and York junior highs are also coming on board. On Nov. 22, the Peet Cubs will play a Unified Sports basketball game against the Moorehead Panthers on the Peet campus.

Egnor said he’s seen the mainstream students learn patience and kindness and that we’re really the same when you get down to it. 

For the students with disabilities he said they have formed bonds and friendships and are so excited to participate alongside the mainstream students.

Mia Cain-Ruiz an eighth grader is a manager for the program at Peet.

“I really love this group. We all get to help each other become a better person,” she said. As a manager she helps with communication and organization among group activities. 

Finn King is also in eighth grade and she participates in the program with her brother who has ADHD. 

“Just because someone has a disability, doesn’t mean they are less like other people,” she said. She feels the program has been beneficial for him as he gets to spend time with his friends. 

“He’s happy,” she said. 

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