It was a special night at the Jose Marti STEM Academy on Tuesday, as the Union City Board of Commissioners honored the Unified Track Team from Union City High School.
Led by Coach Marcus Lozano, the team captured the NJSIAA Unified Track Championship / Special Olympics New Jersey. The special needs kids participate in various sports representing the city.
A branch of Special Olympics, Unified Sports is used to promote inclusion among those with special needs by pairing students with and without disabilities, allowing them to play together.
Four sports are offered for the “Unified Champion Schools;” soccer, bowling, basketball and track.
Union City High School has offered other activities besides sports for the “Unified Program.” These include volunteering, fundraising, club fair, participating in activities with other clubs, a fashion show every year, plus field trips to athletic competitions.
It all began at Union Hill School in 2015. Tuesday’s ceremony was the first time Union City recognized and honored the program.
Among the accolades the program has received are eight state titles in seven years in four different sports. Union City High School has also been a two time, National Recognition Banner School in Special Olympics North America.