WESTLAKE, Ohio -- Valerie Pace and her husband, Rob, are bringing a vision of unifying students with disabilities and their peers to life through Unified Sports.
First launched at Dover Intermediate School in October 2022, the program gathers typical students and special needs peers to compete in sports against other school districts.
The program is focused on promoting social inclusion and falls under the Special Olympics brand.
Valerie Pace works as a psychologist at Lee Burneson Middle School and her husband is a physical education teacher at Dover. They launched the program at Dover last year, later expanding it to the middle school.
Westlake High School also has a team, headed by teacher Rebecca Sawchik.
Westlake High School student Faraz Adibi, a member of the school's Unified Sports Team, hangs out with Cleveland Browns mascot Chomps during a recent Browns Skills Day.Photo Courtesy of Dana Hoffman, Westlake City Schools
“Ever since COVID, we’ve had a hole in the programming at our schools in getting students with disabilities with their peers,” Valerie said.
She and Rob had a vision to unite the district with Special Olympics, so they investigated Unified Sports as a way to address the gap. They received permission to launch and began developing opportunities for students of all abilities to compete together.
The lineup spans from flag football and soccer to track and field, cornhole and kickball.
Unified Sports arranges contests, with Westlake students competing against nearby towns such as Elyria, Avon, Avon Lake, Rocky River, Amherst and others. Outside of transportation costs, expenses for the program are covered by Unified Sports and its sponsors.
On Oct. 11, students competed with professionals as part of the Browns Skills Day. The Cleveland Browns football team set up various drills, including kicking and passing, complete with full support from Chomps, the Browns mascot. Shown here, from left, are Westlake High School Unified Sports Team members Audrey Blood, Margaret (Maggie) Gibel and Stephanie Nivellini.Photo Courtesy of Dana Hoffman, Westlake City Schools
This year’s highlight event occurred Oct. 11, when students competed with professionals as part of the Browns Skills Day. The Cleveland Browns football team set up various drills, including kicking and passing, complete with full support from Chomps, the Browns mascot.
Kicker Dustin Hopkins and wide receiver Marquise Goodwin were also present to coach students.
“They interacted with our kids, did drills with them and engaged in the competitions,” Valerie said.
“It’s a lot cooler experience for students to compete with football players than to compete with us,” she chuckled.
Members of the Lee Burneson Middle School Unified Sports Team include, from left, Xavier Halverstadt, Rhys Draves, Katie Stephens, Avery Richards, Mrs. Hanna, Layth Hasan, Owen Bernhard, Caden Vanschoor, Mo Odetallah, Cleveland Browns player Marquise Goodwin, Ethan Hawes, Sarah Assad, Derek Neibecker, Ethan Boll and Ms. McCurdy.Photo Courtesy of Dana Hoffman, Westlake City Schools
While some students are not inclined toward verbal expression, the smiles on their faces say it all.
“We had a student say: ‘I finally feel part of something. I finally feel part of a group,’” Valerie reflected.
“This was coming from an introverted student who has the diagnosis of autism. To hear him make that statement was really profound,” she said.
“That’s why we do this. When we are out in the community, they are laughing and having fun. This is one of the greatest opportunities they get to work with their peers and really interact with typical students.”
Nov. 10 will mark the start of soccer at The Force in Rocky River, with competitions continuing throughout the school year.
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