The Unified Sports Expo, the first of its kind in the Upper Peninsula, took place at Northern Michigan University’s Physical Education Instructional Facility. 185 students from Marquette County participated in the event organized by Special Olympics Michigan. Students were paired with peers to play sports like volleyball, cornhole, and dance at eight different stations.
The event provided an opportunity for students to make friends and socialize while participating in various activities. Marquette Area Public Schools Student Joy William-Johnson enjoyed hanging out with friends and playing sports and dancing. Unified Champion Schools Coordinator Jamie Cotter highlighted the importance of students making friendships and finding commonalities with each other.
Marquetta-Alger RESA employees collaborated with Special Olympics Michigan to bring programs like the expo to students. General education students partnered with special education student-athletes in the games, promoting inclusion, acceptance, and patience. Student Lily Eberhard, a mentor in a peer-to-peer class at Marquetta Senior High School, emphasized the importance of building friendships and being a role model.
The event aimed to teach valuable skills such as inclusion and acceptance, which students can carry with them throughout their lives. Cotter expressed hope of hosting the expo in the Superior Dome next year. Overall, the Unified Sports Expo provided a fun and positive experience for students, promoting social interactions and teamwork.
