Norwin High School has been recognized as a 2020 National Unified Champion School by the Special Olympics, one of only 10 schools in the state to be honored.
The celebration was part of Norwin’s Oct. 15 pep rally during the homecoming festivities.
Sophomore Eli Passarelli of the Unified Bocce and Unified Track and Field teams and senior Michelle Bojalad of the Unified Track and Field team spoke at the event.
“We are incredibly proud of the fact that we have had a Unified Track and Field Team since 2016, along with a Unified Bocce team we added in 2019,” said Superintendent Jeff Taylor. The school district has had a Peer Buddy Mentor Club active since 2013.
Members of Unified Sports and PBMC host many inclusive events and fundraisers throughout each year, including raising thousands of dollars for Special Olympics of Pennsylvania by doing the Pittsburgh Polar Plunge, as well as hosting the Westmoreland County Special Olympics Track and Field annual event from 2017 through 2019. Norwin also has conducted various inclusive, service projects throughout the community, Taylor said.
