The first-ever Unified Sports Expo in the Upper Peninsula took place in Marquette, Michigan. Special Olympics Michigan organized the event, bringing together 185 Marquette County students to participate in various sports at Northern Michigan University’s Physical Education Instructional Facility. Students were paired with peers to play volleyball, cornhole, and dance at eight different stations.
Marquette Area Public Schools Student Joy William-Johnson enjoyed the opportunity to make new friends at the expo. She appreciated the chance to spend time with friends, talk with them, and engage in various sports and dance activities. Unified Champion Schools Coordinator Jamie Cotter highlighted the importance of the event in promoting movement and socialization among students.
The expo aimed to help students form friendships and recognize commonalities among themselves, fostering inclusivity and acceptance. Marquette-Alger RESA employees collaborated with Special Olympics Michigan to introduce peer-to-peer programs like the expo to students. General education students partnered with special education student-athletes, learning valuable skills such as inclusion, acceptance, and patience.
Lily Eberhard, a mentor in a peer-to-peer class at Marquette Senior High School, emphasized the significance of building friendships as students grow older. Eberhard is committed to being a role model and friend for students, promoting positive relationships and creating a supportive environment. Cotter expressed hopes of hosting the expo in the Superior Dome next year, continuing to foster connections and positive experiences among students in the community.