The Department of Developmental Services Holyoke/Chicopee Area Citizen Advisory Board hosted its 17th Annual Community Celebration of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Month on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at the Moose Family Center in Chicopee.
The event, Forging Your Own Path: The Importance of Community Partners, honored people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who were determined to achieve their own goals, and the community partners who supported them along the way.
This year the Advisory Board recognized four individuals and eight area high schools that are Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools, including Ludlow High School.
In each of these schools, students with and without disabilities come together to create environments of respect, dignity, and advocacy for students with disabilities. The MIAA (Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association) partners with Special Olympics Massachusetts to promote Unified Sports through the Unified Champion Schools program.
Jenn Bedore, LHS Special Education Teacher and Unified Track Coach explained, “We are entering our third year supporting Unified Track at the high school. It was such an honor to be recognized as a Special Olympics Unified Champion School.”
“It was an amazing evening,” added Bedore.
In addition to Bedore, LHS Unified Track partners and athletes were also present to help accept the award on our behalf, including Amelia Jarzabek, Savannah Gay, Meaghan McGuinness, Jillian Allair, Travis Field and Anne Field who is a para for our Unified Track program.
In addition to receiving a certificate from the Department of Developmental Services Holyoke/Chicopee Area Citizen Advisory Board they also were awarded citations from both the Massachusetts State Senate and House of Representatives.
Honorees
Joshua Gregoire – Chicopee
Ken Goodrich – Owner/Instructor - Center for Martial Arts and Fitness - Chicopee
Emma Jamieson – Granby
Ann Marie Fite - Holyoke Medical Center Gift & Coffee Shop
Chicopee Comprehensive High School
Chicopee High School
Granby High School
Holyoke High School
*Ludlow High School
Monson High School
Palmer High School – also a National Banner School
South Hadley High School
