Students of Mr. Harter’s PE Leadership class were given this opportunity to participate in the soccer match. Justin Kachmar, a senior here at RHS said, “I personally wanted to go to it because I’m in the PE Leaders class, I thought it’d be really fun to share that experience with them.”  ILS students of Mrs. Meeks’ class met with the PE Leaders and took a bus to Whitney High schools gymnasium. The Thunder came game ready, and quickly got to warming up. This gave Leaders the chance to help remind students what they have been practicing in PE, and install some confidence before the game. Many high-fives, smiles, and laughs went around as students circled up and passed the ball to each other. 

The game commenced and two teams faced each other at a time. While the Thunder started off in the bleachers, the energy remained high as they cheered for the other schools duking it out on the court. Despite not being in the game, students still felt engaged the whole time, and never got discouraged. Junior Ryan McCoy said, “It allows [special needs students] to feel really included and not to make them feel like they only have one class to be in… They’re allowed to connect with other students.” Come Rocklin’s turn to play, students were eager to get on the court and show off their skills. 

Each student got a chance to start the round with a kick off, followed by quick defense and hustle. While the leaders were on the court with the students, it was important to make sure each student felt independent. Leaders helped pass the ball to students, and made sure everyone was engaged and participating. Kachmar said, “I was just trying to make sure that, pretty much like anyone that was sitting down or sitting out, was also getting included. I tried to put the ball in the middle, or in someone’s possession, and I made sure everyone was getting the ball.”

While the game was fun, and it gave students a chance to get some fun physical exercise, the real joy was found by the moments shared between the students and leaders. For 3 straight hours, every student had a smile on their face, and got to spend time with their friends in full Halloween  spirit. The relationship these students and leaders develop is  the most important part of the Unified game. Mr. Harter said, “Inclusion is a big word in education, and being able to deliver the opportunity for our students to get together, whether they’re in special education, resource, or whatever their disability may be, with general ed students, is what it’s all about.”  

It is encouraged that new students join PE Leadership every year, the bonds formed between students is truly special. Interaction brightens not only the students’ day, but the leaders as well. Not only will you walk away with multiple new relationships, but multiple meaningful ones. Mr. Harter recommends the class to “anybody who’s got a kind heart, somebody who enjoys making people smile, enjoys watching and developing relationships with anybody that comes across different walks of life. It’s a PE that isn’t necessarily geared towards fitness, but is geared towards healthiness.” ILS Students now get to look forward to their Unified basketball game that happens early next year.