Ryle High School to Unveil Unified Champion Schools National Banner Award Friday
After a little more than a one-month weather delay, Larry A. Ryle High School in Union Kentucky is set to unveil its Unified Champion Schools National Banner Award at a full-school assembly in the school gymnasium on Friday, March 1.
Activities during the presentation will include student pairs speaking about their unified experiences, a school wide Inclusion Pledge, a dance performance, recognition of school athletic teams and the Mayor proclaiming the it Unified Champion School Day. The assembly will conclude with the presentation of the award banner that will hang at the school.
The presentation was originally scheduled for January 19; however, a snowstorm the night before forced a school cancellation that morning.
Recognition as a National Banner School is the highest honor Special Olympics affords to schools participating in the Unified Champion Schools Program. Ryle is one of two Kentucky schools to receive National Banner recognition for the first time this year and one of five Kentucky schools overall. Louisville Eastern High School joins Ryle as a first-time honoree this year while Bullitt East renewed the award it first won in 2019. Other Kentucky Schools to be recognized include Calloway County and East Carter High School were both named National Banner schools in 2018.
A Special Olympics Unified Champion School has an inclusive school climate and exudes a sense of collaboration, engagement and respect for all members of the student body and staff. A Unified Champion School receiving national banner recognition is one that has demonstrated commitment to inclusion by meeting 10 national standards of excellence. These standards were developed by a national panel of leaders from Special Olympics and the education community.
