On your marks, get set, go! Over 50 students participated in Project Unify, a Special Olympics collaborative between four high schools in the St. Lucie Public Schools District. Students are practicing for a Unified Area Meet in Clermont on May 6th, a State Level competition involving IMG Academy.
Project Unify supports the Special Olympics on the high school level with a mix of alternate-abled athletes and their able-partners. This year, competition is limited to track and field, but coordinators hope that with the help of the FHSAA, it will grow to all sport areas.
Participants practiced several events including 4×100 relay for boys and girls, softball throw/shot-put, 100-meter run, 100-meter walk/wheelchair, and the 4×400 relay.
This is only the second year of participation for Project Unify. Heather Gray, a coordinator from Fort Pierce Central High School, says “I’m happy that Unify coaches and coordinators came together to put this meet on as an opportunity for another competition and use it as practice to move forward in FHSAA.”
In attendance to watch and cheer on the athletes were St. Lucie Public Schools Superintendent E. Wayne Gent, School Board Vice Chairman Dr. Donna Mills, Ft. Pierce Westwood High School Principal John Lynch, and Fort Pierce Central High School Athletic Director Pete Crespo.
About St. Lucie Public Schools
The mission of St. Lucie Public Schools is to ensure all students graduate from safe and caring schools equipped with the knowledge, skills and desire to succeed. For more information visit, www.stlucieschools.org or contact Kerry Padrick at kerry.padrick@stlucieschools.org.
