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Tayla Intveld | Sports | April
The school's Special Olympics Unified Champion Banner
Photo taken by Tayla Intveld
What exactly are inclusive sports and how does it benefit the students? Some students have little knowledge on the recent achievements of our inclusive sports team, or even what they are here at Mandan High.
“Inclusive sports are about creating a space where every athlete feels welcomed, valued, and part of a team, regardless of their abilities or experience,” Amber Allers, the Inclusive Sports Coach says, “Our focus is not only on learning the game, but also on building confidence, developing communication skills, and supporting one another. It’s a positive environment where athletes can grow, celebrate each other’s successes, and challenge themselves to do their very best.”
Mandan High School’s Inclusive Bowling Team won 1st place for The Most Wins On The Season this year. This is a huge accomplishment for our team, but Allers says that every practice they have is an even bigger achievement.
“In all honesty, I would say every practice and every game is a huge accomplishment for our team and for our athletes because they showed up, they played, they listened, they hustled, they made new friends, maybe they learned something new, maybe they did something that made them uncomfortable and finally overcame that fear. To me just showing up every day is an accomplishment, trying your best and giving 100% is an accomplishment!," says Allers.
Not only do the teachers love seeing the positive impacts inclusive sports have on students, even the students love seeing the benefits it brings to the community. Corinne Lindsey, an Inclusive Swimming Coach and a senior at Mandan High School, emphasizes the pure joy of being involved with the team.
“Inclusive sports are about creating a space where every athlete feels welcomed, valued, and part of a team, regardless of their abilities or experience,” Amber Allers, the Inclusive Sports Coach says, “Our focus is not only on learning the game, but also on building confidence, developing communication skills, and supporting one another. It’s a positive environment where athletes can grow, celebrate each other’s successes, and challenge themselves to do their very best.”
Mandan High School’s Inclusive Bowling Team won 1st place for The Most Wins On The Season this year. This is a huge accomplishment for our team, but Allers says that every practice they have is an even bigger achievement.
“In all honesty, I would say every practice and every game is a huge accomplishment for our team and for our athletes because they showed up, they played, they listened, they hustled, they made new friends, maybe they learned something new, maybe they did something that made them uncomfortable and finally overcame that fear. To me just showing up every day is an accomplishment, trying your best and giving 100% is an accomplishment!," says Allers.
Not only do the teachers love seeing the positive impacts inclusive sports have on students, even the students love seeing the benefits it brings to the community. Corinne Lindsey, an Inclusive Swimming Coach and a senior at Mandan High School, emphasizes the pure joy of being involved with the team.
“My favorite part is getting to work with the people. I’ve been coaching since freshman year for swimming in the Special Olympics and I look forward to it every year. It’s always fun to see my athletes again,” says Corinne.
KX News highlighted Mandan High School for their national banner recognition from the Special Olympics for their inclusive education commitment through the Unified Champion Schools Program. The Unified Champion Schools program is intended to encourage social interactions between students with and without disabilities. Studies found this to be effective by displaying valuable relationships and a welcoming environment. This program is endorsed by the Office of Special Education Programs in the U.S. Department of Education.
“The honor reflects the school’s success in meeting 10 national standards of excellence in inclusion, advocacy, and respect,”says KX News.
While the Inclusive Sports Team had these amazing accomplishments, there are always future goals to keep pushing for.
“I actually have ONE goal in mind right now and that is to start an inclusive sports booster club and start raising funds to support our athletes and future endeavors that we have whether that is funding meals for all our athletes on road trips, having an end of the year banquets for the athletes and their families and paying for the meals, decorations, awards, and everything else, paying our volunteer coaches some type of compensation for their dedicated time to our athletes…there are so many things I could name off that I would LOVE to do IF I had the funding!” says Allers.
Not every goal has to be big; some can be a small hope, or dream. Corinne’s goal is to just see the community of inclusive sports grow and flourish even more. So, any goal is great to keep in the back of our minds
“We [need] to get more inclusive sports opportunities out there for students. We are looking at getting inclusive basketball started up in the near future (hopefully by next school year 2026-2027), maybe get inclusive volleyball going…who knows, we are always looking for more opportunities to be involved!” says Allers
Our Inclusive Sports Team is constantly growing and succeeding. Of course, “the more the merrier.” Athletes are always preferred and welcomed to join inclusive sports
“I think they should come check it out, see what it is all about ... .I think if you were to ask anyone that had any doubts about it, or were unsure and showed up to a practice or competition would tell you it was the most rewarding thing they did and they keep coming back!” says Allers.
KX News highlighted Mandan High School for their national banner recognition from the Special Olympics for their inclusive education commitment through the Unified Champion Schools Program. The Unified Champion Schools program is intended to encourage social interactions between students with and without disabilities. Studies found this to be effective by displaying valuable relationships and a welcoming environment. This program is endorsed by the Office of Special Education Programs in the U.S. Department of Education.
“The honor reflects the school’s success in meeting 10 national standards of excellence in inclusion, advocacy, and respect,”says KX News.
While the Inclusive Sports Team had these amazing accomplishments, there are always future goals to keep pushing for.
“I actually have ONE goal in mind right now and that is to start an inclusive sports booster club and start raising funds to support our athletes and future endeavors that we have whether that is funding meals for all our athletes on road trips, having an end of the year banquets for the athletes and their families and paying for the meals, decorations, awards, and everything else, paying our volunteer coaches some type of compensation for their dedicated time to our athletes…there are so many things I could name off that I would LOVE to do IF I had the funding!” says Allers.
Not every goal has to be big; some can be a small hope, or dream. Corinne’s goal is to just see the community of inclusive sports grow and flourish even more. So, any goal is great to keep in the back of our minds
“We [need] to get more inclusive sports opportunities out there for students. We are looking at getting inclusive basketball started up in the near future (hopefully by next school year 2026-2027), maybe get inclusive volleyball going…who knows, we are always looking for more opportunities to be involved!” says Allers
Our Inclusive Sports Team is constantly growing and succeeding. Of course, “the more the merrier.” Athletes are always preferred and welcomed to join inclusive sports
“I think they should come check it out, see what it is all about ... .I think if you were to ask anyone that had any doubts about it, or were unsure and showed up to a practice or competition would tell you it was the most rewarding thing they did and they keep coming back!” says Allers.
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