Three years ago, Fredonia High School started one of the first programs in Chautauqua County. Since then, the number have grown as has huge strides in promoting inclusion among all students and abilities. One pillar of Unified Sports is to create inclusive sport settings so the whole school can feel change.

Fredonia’s Youth Activation Coordinator, Kristin Tomaszewski, said people involved can serve as role models and leaders to promote future change.

“When we target the whole climate, we can be role models for our younger population and bring an awareness to what inclusion is and how we can be game changers for a more positive and accepting school climate,” said Tomaszewski.

And Fredonia has done work to expand their program beyond just bowling, expanding to having a basketball team last year, which has helped further the sense of camaraderie and togetherness that these teams give.

Submitted photo Members of the Fredonia unified bowling team pose for a picture.

“The best part of the program is seeing some of our students go from teams where the goal is more focused on an ‘all about me’ attitude to moving to a Unified team where there is more of an attitude of ‘I want somebody else to do good, too,'” she said.

There are currently 28 competitors as a part of Fredonia’s Unified Bowling team, and some highlights of their season include Austin Duliba leading the team in highest overall average, Noah Tarbell bowling all his matches with a score over 100, Emma Willebrandt and Julia LeBarron showing consistent growth by improving their averages almost 30 points, Luke McKnatt improving on his single game score by 50 points, Joshua Priolette having the fifth highest game bowled this season and Gia Laurito purchasing a new bowling ball and shoes to practice on weekends.

Willebrandt and Emily Timmerman also threw the team a surprise party for one of the team members, further showing how committed they are to each other. Fredonia’s Coach Alex Conti said programs like this not only grow people closer together, but also demonstrate important concepts to the community at large.

“I know as a brother to someone who has special needs, it is important to see people treat your brother and/or sister with kindness and love and respect,” said Conti. “I see this happening every day I am with these students involved in the Unified program. Not all of them, but most of them. And those who don’t really get it, or are just trying to get it, have the opportunity to see some genuinely nice, kind and compassionate people who do get it and do know how to work and teach and react in uncomfortable situations. By having others engage with students who are natural at working with people with special needs, they too will learn and will hopefully take a piece of what they learned into their everyday life.”

Though they are now veterans of Unified Sports, there is still room to grow the program further, and Conti believes some of the logistical aspects are the areas for that improvement.

“I know Mrs. Tomaszewski is hoping to bring a “Unified PE Class” to the school environment. Although scheduling always seems to be the obstacle, he said, “I think this is an avenue that could really separate Fredonia Central Schools from everyone else. To show our special needs community that Fredonia cares enough to make sure they are surrounded by those who have a desire to be inclusive would be a tremendous leap forward. And, it could be a path for other schools to emulate as they try to grow their Unified programs as well.”

But for as battle tested as Fredonia is in this program, there are new schools who are just starting to make their mark. One of those schools is Dunkirk High School, and Unified Bowling Coach Michelle Gilmour said in their first year of operation, the program is going “extremely well.”

“Kids are extremely excited to be involved,” said Gilmour. “We have over 50 kids who joined the Unified club. Not all of them help with actual bowling, some help with making signs or fundraising, but overall, I feel like it’s going great with a lot of student support.”

Gilmour said both the athletes and partners have felt what all schools feel when Unified Club takes off: An increased sense of friendship and kindness that radiates throughout the building. Gilmour also mentioned that everyone on the team has been given a chance to shine so far this season.

“All the kids at one point or another have stood out and whether they’re athlete or partner, when they get strike or spare, the excitement everyone gets is one of a kind and I really do appreciate the fact that we’ve seen an improvement and sense of friendship amongst partners and athletes,” said Gilmour. “You’ll see athletes and partners walk by each other in the halls and high five or they’re now friends on Facebook and it’s really great to see.”

Gilmour added that it’s seemed to have brought Dunkirk’s school spirit back, as COVID-19 put a damper on it. But now, she said Unified apparel can be seen all throughout the school and that’s been an added bonus to the sportsmanship as well.

Gilmour described Unified Bowling as one of the coolest things she’s ever been a part of, which is a sentiment that rings true for all involved. Today, all the Western New York Unified teams, which also includes Silver Creek and Pine Valley, will compete in what is their vulmination Event at Airport Lanes in Cheektowaga. The event lasts from 9:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. and is effectively Unified Sports Sectionals. Schools from all over the region will participate in an entire day of bowling, awards, and fun.