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hedules c S s t r o p rep S s Spring P il edition r p A e h t r Watch fo ournals! J y it C e of Th March 25, 2022 | Vol. 3 Iss. 12
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SPECIAL OLYMPICS UTAH UNIFIED SPORTS TOURNAMENT GIVES KIDS A CHANCE TO SHINE
By Becky Ginos becky.g@davisjournal.com CLEARFIELD—Players taking the basketball court at Clearfield High last week were thrilled to be a part of a team as they participated for the first time in the Davis School District’s Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports tournament. Teams were made up of athletes with intellectual disabilities and other students without disabilities. “It’s all about inclusion,” said Davis Education Executive Director Jodi Lunt. “The event was spectacular. It exceeded our expectations. It was a wonderful day for our students and the community.” The Unified Sports program is part of Utah First Lady Abby Cox’s “Show Up” initiative to expand the program in Utah schools. “We worked with her to find out how we could grow the program in the Davis School District,” said Lunt. “We worked with the Special Olympics and they were committed and all in. Our incredible friend Murdock (Family Foundation) paid for the uniforms, busing, etc. They gave us a $20,000 donation so that every school could participate.” It takes a village, she said. “It’s incredible to participate in this initiative and move it forward and to see people work together to make an incredible experience for students.” Lunt said they worked with the special education department to find a group of kids who wanted to play. Please see TOURNAMENT: pg. 8
BLAKE, A JUNIOR FROM WOODS CROSS, is cheered-on by his Unified Coach Hailey Lowry and teammates. “It’s been amazing to watch these kids interact with their peers," said Lowry. “These are memories they will have forever."
Photo by Roger V. Tuttle