On March 12th, families, friends, teachers, school staff, volunteers, and administrators gathered to watch Holliston athletes play a game of basketball. But this was not just any game of basketball, this was a big step toward true inclusion for our town. 

Although hosted by Holliston SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council), there were many other people who came together to support our students with disabilities. SEPAC worked closely with Jessica Beattie, Holliston’s Student Services Director, who brought the idea of the fundraiser game to Matt Baker, HHS Athletic Director.  Matt Baker coordinated the coaches and all of the logistics that go into running a game successfully. HHS Varsity girls and boys basketball players showed up to play the HHS Unified basketball team. HHS cheerleaders cheered and performed at halftime. Several student volunteers helped SEPAC collect money for the 50/50 raffle; sell candy, chips, drinks and Holliston’s Bazel’s pizza at the concession table. Our school mascot, the Panther, even showed up to support the teams, giving out high fives and hugs to the kids and cheering on our students. Holliston’s Bazel’s Pizza donated a $50 gift card for the winner of the 3-point competition. The Holliston Athletic Boosters Association (HABA) was selling Holliston merchandise at the event and also donated a Holliston sweatshirt to the 3-point competition winner. The winner of the 3-point competition was a Unified Basketball player from Norfolk HS, Colin Radcliffe, who can sink a 3-point shot over and over again! Holliston’s T.C. Scoops provided dessert for kids and adults alike! HYFS (Holliston Youth and Family Services) and HDAAC ( Holliston Drug and Alcohol Coalition) attended and provided informational resources and free sensory items. SEPAC board members worked hard to coordinate admissions, concessions, and a 50/50 raffle. The winner of the 50/50 raffle was a dedicated and hard-working special education teacher at RAMS, Ms. Charlotte Porter, who donated some of her winnings back to SEPAC, and the rest back to her classroom for a pizza party! HCAT provided video footage of the game and an announcer narrated every exciting play on the floor and hyped up the crowd. The bleachers were full.

Although the fun and excitement was palpable, the most important aspect of the night was the sense of community support and pride that filled the gymnasium and swirled through the bleachers. The parents of the Unified players felt supported. The Unified players felt supported. This was not a secluded event, just for students with disabilities. This was an inclusive event that brought people together and celebrated the neurodiversity in our community. Parents of neurotypical students explained to their children what Unified Sports was all about. Curious students and other community members asked SEPAC questions. SEPAC explained that Unified Sports was a way for students with disabilities to be a part of our community. They make connections, friendships, and learn. In turn, we learn about their strengths and challenges, how to best support them, and how to build an environment that celebrates neurodiversity. The Unified team players are not just students here in Holliston, but they are human beings who deserve the same love, support, and opportunities as the rest of the students. When we start to build this type of community, every student benefits from the lessons learned by talking with, playing with, and celebrating with our neurodiverse students. Love, pride, and acceptance filled the air the evening of March 12th. Happy tears could be seen in many eyes, especially of the parents who just wanted a chance for their child to be included. Not as an afterthought or a separate group, but as the bright shining stars that they are to everyone they touch. Our Holliston community achieved just that – well done!

SEPAC board members, Allegra Denehy and Wendy Bisazza (Co-Chairs), Eileen Radcliffe (Secretary), Jillian Bennett (Treasurer & SEPAC Regional Liaison), Elina Robinson (Events Coordinator), Emily Knup (PTO Liaison), Patricia Nolan (Technology Coordinator), Jane Berkholtz (Fundraising Coordinator), Kim Mulligan (Website Coordinator), and Lisa Kocian (School Committee Liaison) would like to thank several people. Thank you to the athletic director, Matt Baker, and Student Services Director, Jessica Beattie, for helping SEPAC make our vision come to life! Thank you to Dr. Susan Kustka, superintendent of schools, for leading this team of teachers, coaches, and volunteers to promote neurodiversity in our schools. Thank you to HCAT and the announcers for providing an invaluable experience for our players and the crowd! Thank you to all the coaches, players, cheerleaders, and volunteers for your time, respect, love, and compassion, especially Unified Basketball coach, Joel Bernstein! Thank you to HABA, Bazel’s Pizza, and T.C. Scoops for your generous donations and support. And most of all, thank you to the Holliston community members, who just showed up. Your support, curiosity, and willingness to ask uncomfortable questions and engage in meaningful conversation meant more to our Unified team and families than you could ever imagine. We are truly in awe of the individual and collective efforts made to pull together such a meaningful experience for our special needs community. From the bottom of our hearts, SEPAC thanks you for your support. 

Here is the link to the Video of the Unified Games

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBvER2r0FDg