🏅 CHAMPIONS IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD: UNITY SPECIAL OLYMPIC ATHLETES SHINE AT THE ILLINOIS STATE SUMMER GAMES! ❤️

What a weekend for Unity Junior High School Special Olympics!

While the medals are certainly worth celebrating, the true victory of the Illinois Special Olympics Summer Games is something much bigger.

For our athletes, this weekend was about friendship, determination, confidence, teamwork, and unforgettable memories. 

15 Unity athletes traveled to Illinois State University to compete among the best Special Olympics athletes in the state. They marched proudly during Opening Ceremonies alongside teams from across Illinois, enjoyed Olympic Village activities, celebrated at the Victory Dance, spent time with friends, and created memories that will last a lifetime. From hotel stays and waterpark fun to hearing their names announced among thousands of athletes, every moment was a reminder of what makes this experience so special.

And when it came time to compete, our athletes represented Cicero District 99 with incredible pride.

⚽ Our Unity Soccer team earned the Silver Medal, finishing 2nd in the State of Illinois!
🥇 Jazmin Flores Ortega brought home a Gold Medal in Javelin and a Bronze Medal in the 200-Meter Run!
🥈 Alice Benitez earned a Silver Medal in the Softball Throw!

These accomplishments reflect countless hours of hard work, perseverance, courage, and commitment. But beyond the medals, what stands out most is the joy on our athletes' faces, the support from their families, and the way they cheered one another on every step of the way.

This experience would not be possible without the dedication and passion of our incredible coaches and leaders: Bill Dahms, Jennifer Turek, Melissa Lameka, Jessica Escobar Jurado, and Special Education Program Supervisor Kelly Pawelko. Thank you for believing in our students, supporting their growth, and helping make opportunities like this possible.

At District 99, we believe every student deserves the chance to shine. This weekend, our Unity athletes did exactly that.

Please join us in congratulating these outstanding students and celebrating all they accomplished. Their achievements remind us that success is measured not only by medals won, but by courage shown, friendships built, and the determination to give your very best.

Once a Tiger, always a Tiger!