Thurber, Notre Dame students ‘Unified’ for inclusive sports event

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Bluesky
• Share on X
• Copy Link

About 60 students took part, with more than 1.2 million involved in Unified Sports globally.

Employment boost

Care for Newcomers launches newcomer employment initiative

3h ago

No threat to the public

RCMP investigating shooting incident in north Red Deer

4h ago

March 2026 data

Average rent is up in Red Deer, despite national and provincial declines

5h ago

“I get to be with my classmates and also do stuff on my own. I make my family and myself proud,” said Sunny Pon, a Grade 12 student and member of Thurber’s cognitive programming. “I feel confident about myself, I love going to the gym, and I love badminton, football and track.”

Pon has been part of a buddies program with his friend Jasmine Le since middle school.

Le, a Grade 11 student, praised the way Unified connects people.

“Unified is a really beautiful way to cultivate a sense of community and inclusivity. A lot of the kids here, they look forward to it every week. It’s an incredible experience that I’m so proud to be part of,” she said. “It’s really great to see Sunny in this environment and trying new things.”

Le said when she first heard about the buddies program and Unified, becoming a part of it was a no-brainer.

(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

Behind the event is Thurber teacher Hayley Goring, who leads the school’s specialized programs for children with complex needs.

Goring has also spent 20 years volunteering with Special Olympics, and knew well before this program about the benefits one like it can have.

“Giving them something to be proud of, that they can work for, it’s wonderful. This allows our school to show that there’s a place for everyone here,” she said.

“A lot of people feel these students are not capable, but it’s clear by watching them today, when they train every week, and how they’re building skills with their buddies, that that isn’t true. The leadership we’ve had from our other students is fantastic too, because as staff, weve been able to sit back and watch them succeed, which is great.”

(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

Goring said everyone should put it on their list to watch a Unified or Special Olympics event at least once in their life.

“The energy and enthusiasm is infectious, and it’s one of the most awesome things I’ve ever been a part of,” she said. “The buzz has started here at Thurber, and more students are already wanting to be part of this next year.

Goring hopes the event will expand in years to come to include more schools. The Thurber and Notre Dame cohorts will travel to Stony Plain on May 30 for a regional Unified jamboree.