200 attendees will gather at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for training and preparation for work in their schools, communities, workplaces, and beyond.
Brynn Buskirk, Ryan Lappie, and their mentor, Abby Tyra will represent Limestone Community High School and Illinois Special Olympics schools/athletes as they join more than 150 young people ages 16-25 with and without intellectual disabilities (ID) for engaging and hands-on professional development and workplace readiness sessions at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. From June 25-28, the 2024 Special Olympics North America National Leadership Event: To Inclusion and Beyond will launch participants into a lifetime of inclusion by preparing them to use their passion and skill for inclusion as they exit school to transform their communities, schools, and workplaces to be more inclusive of people with ID.
These extraordinary young people are strong representatives for the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools® program – a strategy creating sports, leadership, and whole school engagement opportunities for students with and without ID. Brynn and Ryan have served as Unified leaders at LCHS for years, both in title and in their actions/interactions everyday. During the 2024-2025 school year, Brynn and Ryan were elected to State leadership roles and represented Illinois at “Capitol Hill Day” in Washington D.C.
Too often, young people, especially those with ID, may be overlooked for opportunities to take on meaningful leadership roles in their schools, communities, or workplaces. They may not be asked about their interests and skills with any legitimate expectation that they have gifts to share with others, and with limited expectations often come limited training and preparation.
One way the Unified Champion Schools® initiative is changing that mindset is by equipping students with essential workplace readiness skills and social networks that shape their decisions and aspirations for the future, easing their transition into life after school. This strategy not only imparts leadership skills and experiences but also lays a solid groundwork for life after school as students with and without ID transition into the more inclusive communities they are helping to build. The result is an environment that promotes inclusion and respect for all. As many as 16 million young people are taking part in inclusive experiences through Special Olympics nationwide.
Limestone is extremely proud of Brynn, Ryan, and our Unified Champion program. The program, and these opportunities for leadership, are coordinated by a tremendous team of LCHS educators - Stacey Seals, Abby Tyra, and Shelly Stoner.