On Tuesday, May 13, the annual Unified Champions Day will be hosted at PHS. Schools from all over come to participate, including Springs Valley, West Washington, East Washington, Salem, Crawford County, and Paoli. The students from the special education rooms will participate in track and field activities during the Unified Champions Day events. Throop Elementary physical education teacher Tyler Kumpf is the activity coordinator for the event. Kumpf plans to have the students in the softball throw, relay races, 400, 200, and 100-meter dash. 

There will be track and field activities and other things the students can do. 

“They will have track and field events that the students participate in and some group activities.  There will be stations where students can paint their faces, make sensory bottles, and get tattoos,” said Special Education Instructor Lyndi Baxter.

The student’s parents and family are welcome to come to the event. 

“The public can come and help encourage the kids to do a good job,” said Baxter.

The students enjoy the day and seem to be enjoying themselves. The school prepares burgers and chips for the students, so they have a fun day. 

“I like running and participating in the events with my friends,” said Senior Amber Schuley.

 Not only do the students in the life skills classes participate in the events, but every school that comes has students from their school come and help the life skills students. The helpers play a big part in the day and truly are a helping hand to the teachers and participating students. 

“I helped when I was a freshman, and I was partnered with Nate for his senior year Nate threw the softball and was hyped up about it all day,” said sophomore Jackson Deweese. 

If Tuesday’s event is rained out, the alternate date for Unified Champions is Thursday, May 15, and the location will then be determined.