The Black and White

by Ava Holland (Photos by Sadie Johnson and Sarah Burnham

What is Unified?/Unified’s Role At Pilgrim

Unified is a program put on by the Special Olympics that brings together individuals with and without disabilities on the same sport teams for training and competition, fostering inclusion, friendship, and understanding through shared experiences.

Pilgrim takes great pride in their unified program, and runs two separate teams throughout different portions of the year. In the fall and early winter, there’s unified volleyball—- and during the late winter and early spring, there’s unified basketball. Both of which provide multiple opportunities for kids that are a part of Pilgrim’s special education program to be a part of a team, gain valuable experience, and make lasting memories with peers.

Alongside willing staff, who organize the trainings, who lead the team and work with the individuals on it, are student partners who participate as members of the team and help out in certain areas to enhance the playing experience.

Pilgrim has multiple long-standing partners, who have been working with the unified team since their freshman year, as well as a few up-and-coming underclassmen who have just joined the program for the first time— and all parties collaborate to make the experience both memorable and fun for the competitors.

Tollgate @ Home

It’s tradition at Pilgrim that every spring, the Tollgate unified team will come over and play Pilgrim, allowing for the Pilgrim athletes to compete on their home court with a schoolwide crowd. The atmosphere is unlike any other.

The student body, a vast majority of the staff, and all of the admin are present—- which means a packed gym, crowded from door to door, and lots of noise. It gets the athletes excited, and it allows for everyone to come together and have fun for a good cause. When athletes score, the place erupts, and the confidence can be seen in each individual as they’re cheered for.

Beginning announcements brought the mood up to a pure ten as Pilgrim gym and health teacher Scott Bayha (resident unified announcer/commentator) gave each athlete an introduction. Every kid has a unique “nickname” that goes along with their attributes (see team member Amber Mello, who is known as the “Caitlin Clark of the East”) and most had celebrations or waves prepared for when they were called, which gave everyone the chance to be cheered for individually and recognized for their role on the team.

The game began neck-and-neck, with Tollgate responding to each of Pilgrim’s baskets quickly. It allowed for a fast-paced beginning and kept everyone on the edge of their seats. Applause rang out with each score. Crucial points were earned by team members Finnegan “Buckets” Blakely, as well as Gabriel Brousseau, met with much enthusiasm by the crowds. Going into halftime, spirits were high as music played from the speakers and the cheerleaders put on a brief performance. 

Pilgrim came out of the break fast—-with points from Ibrahima Diallo, Kason Merill, Matthew Tameirao, and Kayvion Skinner—- and ultimately ran away with the game. Although Tollgate managed to inch close to the ending score, Pilgrim players put away the game with a couple of crucial baskets. Senior Russell Horton was especially key in the victory-to-come, with a few blocks and baskets to sneak by with the win.

The ending score was 51-47, with Pilgrim stealing the win for the north side of Warwick— an end met with much applause and celebration from students, athletes, and staff alike.

Thoughts From Coach Magee:

After the game, Sean Magee (an English teacher at Pilgrim, as well as the head coach of the unified basketball team) shared some of his thoughts on the overall atmosphere, the team’s win, and what a game as big as this means to the team and the Pilgrim community.

When asked about the meaning that a game like this has, given it’s one of the bigger unified (as well as athletic) events of the school year, he shared, “It is the most important athletic event for the school. It’s big for the kids. They get amped up. They love the crowd support, the environment, the Pilgrim culture. It’s second to none. The way everyone comes together in support is one of the best things.” He also mentioned specifically a moment in the beginning of the game, during opening announcements, in which athlete Ibrahima Diallo got particularly fired up by the crowd, showcasing his point—- the atmosphere is a big factor.

Going into the game, there wasn’t any set “plan” aside from having fun, which Magee stressed the importance of.

“The number one thing is always to have fun. Everybody plays, everybody gets a touch. Beating Tollgate at home is great, but everyone getting in is the most important thing,” he said, which goes along with the ultimate message that the program sends—- everyone has a place.

In terms of the outcome itself, there wasn’t much but pride to be expressed. “It was amazing,” Magee exclaimed. “Couldn’t have asked for a better ending. Tollgate had a nice comeback, but we had a good game plan for the last quarter. The right athletes, the right partners in there. And it worked out great.”

Overall, the experience is filled with nothing but positivity, and it comes from all directions—- something Magee highlighted when expressing his gratitude for the people who make the team run as it does. “The team is a great group, but we wouldn’t be able to do it without willing partners, all the students that help out on a regular basis. I am incredibly grateful for their support,” he finished. Partners mentioned include current Pilgrim athletes such as Keaney Bayha, Tyler Martin, Tiffany Blanco, Jack Sayler, Amelia Holmes, and Juliana Kavanagh, who all have dedicated themselves to the team and the athletes and played a big role in making the experience this year as well as previously.

Conclusion

Unified is one of Pilgrim’s most prideful programs, and the promotion of inclusion and positivity allows joy for everyone in the community, something that the annual full-school home game highlights spectacularly.

Pilgrim’s win will send the student body into April vacation with good vibes and a positive push into the end of the school year, with all credits going to the athletes, coaches, and organizers.

One of Pilgrim’s best traditions remains strong.