OLD BRIDGE — The time spent trying to make Old Bridge High School a unified, all inclusive school has paid off.
That effort has resulted in the high school being named an official Special Olympics national banner Unified Champion School.
Timothy P. Shriver, chairman of Special Olympics International, and Marc Edenzon, regional president and managing director of Special Olympics North America, notified Principal Vincent Sasso in a letter, according to a release from the school.
In the letter, Shriver and Edenzon said the Old Bridge High School community has shown impressive determination and is helping the Special Olympics move toward its collective goal of creating a truly “Unified Generation” of young people who embrace differences and lead social change.
“You are literally redefining the future as you make your communities more inclusive of people with intellectual disabilities, and in doing so, making the world a more accepting place for all,” the letter said.
School officials said Shriver and Edenzon commended the leadership efforts of special education teacher Karen Lewicki and the Unified Champion School leadership team — Lisa Tonnisen, paraprofessional, J. Scott Cascone, executive director of academics, Daniel DiMino, athletic director, and staff and students at the high school.
Sasso said he was excited about the news.
“For many years, Mrs. Lewicki and Mrs. Tonnisen, along with our Unified Team have been trendsetters and helped to create an inclusive school culture that is second to none,” he said.
Lewicki said all their volunteer hours implementing and developing such a powerful program is rewarding.
“With the help and support of Special Olympics, we have built an inclusive school community by establishing Unified sports, youth leadership, education and social education programs that build self-confidence and foster communities of acceptance,” she said.
Shriver and Edenzon challenged the high school “to push further” and to “continue to support the innovative minds of youths and adults in your school and be leaders in inclusion in your community.”
Schools Superintendent David Cittadino commended the program and the award it received.
“As the leader of a district team that continuously knocks down barriers to make all feel welcome and an essential part of our community family, I am bursting with pride,” he said. “Our Old Bridge Play Unify Team is a source of tremendous community fulfillment.”
DiMino called the Unified Generation teams “the definition of the school and athletic atmosphere and philosophy” at the high school.
“I am honored to be a part of such an amazing group of educators and athletes,” he said. “I encourage all schools in our area to develop Unified teams to help expand this wonderful program.”