West Hartford Unified Sports Honored as a National ‘Unified Champion’ School
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Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Representatives of ESPN and Special Olympics were at West Hartford’s Conard High School of Friday celebrating the district’s Unified Sports Program as one of just 33 ‘National Unified Champion’ schools.
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Bridget Dawson and Kayleigh Martin. Photos by Ronni Newton
On Friday, March 28, Conard High School students gathered for a pep rally to honor their robust Unified Sports team, and congratulate them on their award.
The combined Conard and Hall program was one of a select few Special Olympics Unified Champion schools nationwide that were granted this award by ESPN. There were 33 champions, but Conard was among just three schools actually celebrated with a visit by ESPN. Unified Sports is a program of Special Olympics, and ESPN is the Global Presenting Sponsor of Special Olympics Unified Sports.
Lisa Kovlakas, ESPN Corporate Citizenship. Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Students who participated in Unified sports at both Hall and Conard were recognized for their excellence based on criteria that include inclusion, advocacy, and respect. These traits are very important to the West Hartford program, and shape the foundation of their practices and games.
Conard senior and program participant, Piper Patrissi stated that “inclusion saves lives” and this mindset proves true in their award, and the deserved recognition of the program.
Hosts Victoria Arlen of ESPN (left) and Conard senior Piper Patrissi. Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The Unified Sports program allows for the inclusion of students at all ability levels, while simultaneously creating a fun environment for all.
Coach Heather Russell shared that one of the most beautiful aspects of Unified Sports is being able “to showcase the students in front of a bigger crowd, such as when the Unified Sports team plays at halftimes of varsity basketball games, allowing for students to get equally as excited for the Unified Sports team as they would for the basketball game itself.” Coach Rusell added that Friday’s pep rally, “allows students who aren’t necessarily a part of the program (Unified Sports) to get just as excited about it as those who participate in the Unified Program.”
Unified Sports coach Heather Russell. Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Russell’s moving statements demonstrate the incredible value that is placed upon inclusion at Conard High School, and the impact of Unified Sports on the school’s community.
At the pep rally, Unified athletes played games of knockout, basketball, a soccer/cornhole relay, and even featured a song performance from Conard and Hall’s recent Unified Theatre production. The crowd was extremely supportive, cheering loudly for their peers on the court.
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
A Conard junior shared that it was the “most school spirit” she had seen at any school event, which goes to show how much Conard students truly understand the importance of inclusion and support in sports. The student section dressed in all white, and gave varsity starters and students with disabilities the same opportunity for praise and recognition. That is one of the many beauties of the Unified Sports Program. The program gives equal opportunity to all, and Conard sophomore Rachel Sullo stated that the Unified Sports program is “a really inclusive environment” and that it sparked the growth of a “really good community.”
Representatives of Special Olympics and ESPN worked together to plan the pep rally to honor Conard and Hall’s Unified Sports teams.
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The event was co-hosted by Conard’s Patrissi, along with ESPN TV personality Victoria Arlen. As a former American paralympic athlete herself, Arlen acknowledged the importance of the “inclusion revolution” as she called it. The Conard-Hall Unified programs exemplify the aspects vital to an inclusion revolution and in being recognized as a National Unified Champion School, the West Hartford Unified Sports program joins an elite group of high schools worldwide, filled with leadership opportunities, that allow an accepting culture for all.
Mike Mason from Special Olympics. Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Prior to the pep rally, a VIP luncheon and short program featured Unified Sports coaches Russell, Tracie Kelly, and Tommy Verrengia, and comments from Lisa Kovlakas, director of ESPN Corporate Citizenship, Mike Mason of Special Olympics, West Hartford Superintendent of Schools Paul Vicinus, Conard Principal Jocelyn Tamborello-Noble, and Mayor Shari Cantor, who read a proclamation recognizing March 28, 2025 as “Unified Sports Day” in West Hartford.
Cantor praised Unified Sports for “the joy, the inspiration, and the unity” it provides.
West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor read a proclamation at a luncheon prior to the pep rally. Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Mason noted how unique West Hartford’s program is, as a collaboration between the two high schools, noting that it’s really “unified, unified sports.” West Hartford’s program “more than exceeds” the criteria for selection as a champion school.
“It’s our unity amid our diversity that makes us strong,” said Vicinus.
VIPs at the pep rally included Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz – who congratulated the Unified Sports team members and their coaches – members of the West Hartford Board of Education, and a large contingent from both ESPN and Special Olympics.
Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz speaks to the crowd. Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The West Hartford Unified Sports program is one of 33 high schools across the country selected for the 2024 ESPN honor roll, and is incredibly deserving of this award.
A banner that now hangs in the Conard gym was unveiled to end the spirted pep rally. A banner will also be installed at Hall at a later date.
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard Principal Jocelyn Tamborello-Noble speaks to the crowd. Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Public Schools Superintendent Paul Vicinus speaks to the crowd. Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Unified Sports team members light the flame. Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
ESPN’s Victoria Arlen speaks to the crowd. Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard State Champion Hockey team. Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bob Hale, Special Olympics. Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Unified Sports coach Heather Russell speaks to attendees at a luncheon. At left are coaches Tommy Verrengia and Tracie Kelly. Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard Principal Jocelyn Tamborello-Noble. Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Celebration of West Hartford High Schools’ Special Olympics Unified Sports. March 28, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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