Students from Frenship High School have been representing the district with pride and excellence at the Regional Youth Leadership Committee Summit. Blakeley Martin and JJ Broaddus are two teammates who have developed a strong friendship while also achieving success in Unified Sports. Last semester, they were interviewed and selected by a committee to serve on the Regional Youth Leadership Committee through Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools. Last week, they had the opportunity to travel to the annual Regional Leadership Conference in Austin, where they shared their experiences and advocated for Unified Sports.
Frenship Unified Head Coach Kayci Smith could not be prouder to see Frenship continue to be represented at this level.
“Prideful is just one word. To see these students represent Frenship, in such a large capacity is pretty amazing. But to see them represent the west region and what Unified can do for your school and community is something that is truly life changing. Not just for the people at the conference, but for Bakeley and JJ and for the adults in the room,” said Coach Smith.
Smith believes that Blakeley and JJ’s involvement in Unified will continue to impact others around them.
“JJ and Blakeley were able to share their love for Unified with others at the conference, and they did it all on their own with pride and integrity,” said Coach Smith. “The takeaway for me is that this was all student-led. Blake and JJ spoke from their heart, gave ideas and suggestions, worked as a team and truly impacted other pairs and schools. They both spoke freely and willingly and from the heart. Because of their leadership and love for Unified, I believe they will make this program more than just about the athletic program, and even more about the Unified Club aspect, which involves everyone on campus.”
In addition to Blakeley and JJ, Kayt Ingram and Mac Ebert were invited to attend the summit and bring back ways to help grow the Frenship Unified Sports Program. Mac had the chance to share his testimony with the group. Camden Reese also attended the conference as an advocate and partner. He created a documentary about the Frenship Unified Program and served as an official photographer for the event.
Coach Smith wants to invite the Frenship community to support these students and their mission to grow Unified Sports.
“Opportunities for the Unified group to grow at community events, volunteer opportunities at our meets and our Prom. We also want to invite the community to come to our Frenship Invitation Unified Track Meet on March 28th. We would love for the community to come out and support all the athletes and partners,” said Coach Smith.
She encourages everyone to attend a Frenship Unified event and learn more about their mission.
“If you have never been to a Unified event or even heard about it, I highly encourage you to look it up, come to our events or reach out to us and we will give you all the information. It truly is life changing and so magical,” said Coach Smith. “I cannot express how wonderful this program is for ALL of our students and our school. Just coming to an FHS pep rally and seeing how loved and adored these athletes are, or at lunch time sitting with their partners who are their friends, Unified has opened the door for so many kids at Frenship, and I am so blessed to be a part of it.”
These five Frenship Tigers are feeling inspired and encouraged to make a difference in the halls of Frenship High School and in the community. Great work, Tigers! We are proud of you!
Photo by: Camden Reese