By Anthony Ciano and Faith Henry

November 9, 2023

ROCKLAND- ROCKLAND- On October 24, a Unified soccer game took place at Abington High School between Rockland, Abington, and Carver High Schools.

Unified soccer allows students and student-athletes to work alongside students enrolled in the school Pathways program.

The Pathways program is a system in which students with special needs are able to continue their education and learn in catered and specialized ways.  

While the Pathways program has provided various unified sports opportunities in the past including a unified bocce tournament, the Unified soccer game was a first. 

Joined by members of both the boys and girls Rockland High School soccer teams, and cheered on by the Bulldog Buddies Club, it was quite a fun event for all.

Cailyn Sullivan, a student in Pathways, says she loves soccer and “scored three goals.”

Along with Sullivan, several other Pathway students were able to play and score goals as they competed to win. 

Among the other players was Faith Henry, who scored six goals and said, “It is so much fun when you get to meet so many people.”

Although Pathway students competed in the Unified soccer game, they also participated in many various activities like paint nights, movie nights, bowling, and so much more.

Students from the Pathway program are able to be paired up with Bulldog Buddies who hang out and encourage the students. 

Recently, a popular paint night event returned to Rockland High School.

Although the goal was to make a spooky and creative pumpkin patch, taught by Mr. Gary Graziano, Pathways student Dillon Doyle said he went his own path and “painted monsters at paint night.”

Creativity is able to run wild in the Pathway Program and Bulldog Buddies Club. 

Having the ability to get together students of both the Pathway Program and Bulldog Buddies club is beneficial and enjoyable for all. 

With a full year of Bulldog Buddy and Pathway events coming up this year, students are able to look forward to so much. 

Sullivan said that her favorite part of Bulldog Buddies “is bowling, watching movies, and going to Luci’s Pizza.”